Mute Swan

A mute swan (Cygnus olor) is a large species of swan native to Eurasia but now widely introduced around the world. It is known for its graceful appearance, all-white plumage, and a distinctive black knob at the base of its orange bill. 🦢

The mute swan is one of the largest flying birds, with a long, gracefully curved neck. Its feathers are pure white, and its bill is a bright orange with a prominent black fleshy knob, called a knob or base, at the top. The swan's neck is often held in a characteristic S-shape, a feature that distinguishes it from other swan species.

Mute swans are found in a variety of freshwater and brackish habitats, including ponds, lakes, rivers, and estuaries. They are herbivores, and their diet consists of aquatic vegetation, which they reach by extending their long necks underwater. They also eat some insects and small aquatic animals.

Despite its name, the mute swan is not silent. It makes a variety of hisses, snorts, and grunting sounds, but it is not as vocal as other swan species. It is known for its territorial and aggressive behavior, especially during the breeding season, and will defend its nesting site fiercely against other animals and even humans.