Various types (breeds) of swans. Fairytale birds swans and features of their life
A symbol of chastity and fidelity, the snow-white swan bird relatively recently began to evoke such poetic associations. Several centuries ago, in the Middle Ages, these royal waterfowl were considered common game. They were hunted not so much for their meat, which can be very tough in wild birds, but for their elastic and light down. The result of excessive hunting was their almost complete extermination in Europe, and only conservation measures in the 20th century helped preserve the remaining populations.
A symbol of chastity and fidelity, the snow-white swan bird relatively recently began to evoke such poetic associations
Sometimes in reservoirs where royal birds live, you can find both white and gray individuals swimming together. Meanwhile, all encyclopedias claim that the majority of the plumage is white, and only one of the swan species has dark colored feathers. These are inhabitants of Australia, which can also be found on Russian ponds. Black and black-necked species never mate with white varieties and most often keep to themselves.
But how then can we explain the appearance of gray individuals in flocks of snow-white birds? The secret is simple: chicks (both black and white species) are always born gray. This coloring is protective, that is, it makes babies invisible on water and on land. A pair of parents takes care of their cubs for 1-2 years, but the young animals acquire white plumage only by the 3rd year of life. A gray swan in a flock of white or black birds is not a hybrid or a random freak of nature. This is just a chick that has grown up, but has not yet acquired the appearance characteristic of its breed.
The chick of these large waterfowl is called “swan”. The female is capable of hatching up to 10 chicks at the same time, and on decorative ponds in the park area you can often see fluffy gray babies swimming in single file behind their proud mother. Sometimes tired chicks climb onto their parents' backs and rest there, like on ships.
Among the few species, there is another unusual one - the black-necked swan. These peculiar birds live in the very south of the American continent: in Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands. The black-necked swan breeds the same gray chicks as other species.
If you look closely, even the birds swimming in the same pond are slightly different. There are medium-sized individuals with proudly straightened necks, and there are large, beautiful swans with wings raised high, as if looking at their reflection. Some birds have a yellow beak, others have a black or red beak. These are all different types of swans:
- whoopers have a bright yellow beak and are not very large in size;
- mute birds are red-billed and rather large birds;
- The trumpeter swan is similar to a whooper swan, but has a black beak.
In addition to them, there are 2 more species of wild birds that can hardly be seen in the parks of large cities. These are the inhabitants of the northern tundra: the American swan and the small one. They are distinguished by their habitat (the small one lives on the territory of our country). Both species are relatively small, their weight reaches only 5-6 kg.
Gallery: swans (25 photos)
Depending on the species, these birds can be migratory, partially migratory, or remain in their habitat for the entire winter season
White swans can fly considerable distances during migration
Due to human greed and insensitivity to beauty, due to poaching and unrestricted hunting, mute swans are absent from many of their former habitats or are extremely rare there.
The most distinctive feature of the mute mute is the large black growth, or bump, at the top of the base of the orange-red beak.
The most graceful birds (video)
Swan fidelity
There is a beautiful legend that a white trumpeter swan, having lost its partner, rushes to the ground and breaks, not wanting to live without him. This, of course, is just poetic fiction. But, according to scientific information, whoopers, trumpeters, mute birds and other breeds of swans form a pair only once and are called monogamous birds. Only very young males, having lost their spouse, find another female after a few years.
The swans' nest usually looks like a floating pile of dry reed stems and coastal plants. On an artificial island, a female swan lays 5-10 eggs and incubates them for 1.5 months. Fluffy swans swim well from the very first days of life and are able to search for food on the water. The nest serves as a place for them to rest and spend the night. At the age of 6 months, the young take wing and begin an independent life, but for another 1-2 years they accompany their parents and enjoy their protection in the event of an attack by wild animals.
How swans take off (video)
From the life of waterfowl
Majestically gliding through the water they give the impression of peace-loving and calm birds. However, where the swan lives, other waterfowl have a hard time. Another bird that happens to be close to the nest is subjected to a fierce attack from its warlike neighbors. The beak of a trumpeter swan is a powerful weapon with which the bird hits and pinches the violator of its peace. Even someone else's chick can be severely punished for carelessness.
There are medium-sized individuals with a proudly straightened neck, there are large beautiful swans with wings raised high, as if looking at their reflection
There are other interesting facts about swans that not everyone knows:
- Black colors in plumage are characteristic of only 2 species living in the Southern Hemisphere. This part of the planet is home to both the Australian black swan and the black-necked swan. Birds of the Northern Hemisphere are always pure white.
- The black Australian representative of the genus can be called the record holder for the length of the neck among its fellows - it consists of 32 vertebrae.
- The black-necked swan heads north to warm Brazil in winter. The pair begins to hatch chicks in the middle of winter in the Southern Hemisphere (in July). By the beginning of spring, in November, the black-necked swan migrates to its permanent habitat - to the cold Antarctic latitudes. Species of the Northern Hemisphere (American swan, mute birds, etc.) begin mating in the spring, and chicks hatch around mid-summer.
- A poetic description of a swan always notes its gracefully curved neck. But only muzzles have a characteristic “swan” curve. Often the trumpeters next to them keep their necks straight. Other species of birds also have the same proud posture: the pygmy swan, whooper swan, American swan, etc.
- Birds that live in Great Britain are considered the property of the royal house. Every year, special people conduct an inventory of individuals living on the Thames and its tributaries.
- The American swan, living in the northern tundra, often hatches its chicks among snow and ice. In spring, the weather in the north is so unstable that the American swan can rightfully be considered the hardiest species, because raising chicks in such conditions is quite difficult.
Breeding swans is becoming increasingly popular: large birds have a live weight on average of about 8-10 kg, but mute birds are usually called the record holder. The weight of a swan of this breed reaches 15 kg. Their skins with down are used in furriery as a fur product. Women's hats and other haberdashery items are made from them. Raising chicks is no more difficult than the usual ducklings or goslings, but they need a reservoir. Birds are also bred for decorative purposes. The most numerous species living in captivity is the trumpeter swan.
The number of these birds reaches 6 thousand heads. It is curious that a clutch of eggs can be taken from the nest for incubation, and after some time the female swan will lay a few more eggs and begin to incubate them again.
Swans breeding is becoming increasingly popular
During migration, flocks of white birds cover vast distances. Many people know what a flying wedge looks like, but not everyone knows that this arrangement of birds makes sense: those behind the leader have to work less due to turbulent flows. The tired leader is replaced from time to time by another bird.
These majestic and proud birds have long been a symbol of love and fidelity. Swans are characters in many fairy tales, legends, films, cartoons and literary works. An unimpressive-looking swan cub eventually grows into a regal beauty. From the article you will learn where swans live, what are the features of their appearance, get acquainted with the species of birds and interesting facts of their life.
In England it has long been considered the royal bird. The swan is the largest waterfowl. Its name is associated with the ancient meanings of the words “brilliant”, “sparkling”. These beautiful birds can often be found in the northern hemisphere. They often prefer to live on continents such as New Zealand, South America, and Australia.
Their distribution throughout Russia covers tundra forest zones - from the Kola Peninsula to the Crimea, from the territory of Kamchatka to Central Asia. Mute swan, tundra swan and whooper swan live here. Under natural conditions, such birds settle in reservoirs overgrown with reeds and reeds. With the arrival of cold weather, they go to warm countries for the winter, and return to their native lands in the spring. The female builds a nest in the thickets. Chicks appear in mid-summer. They are already covered with feathers and can get their own food. The female stays with them for 6 months.
The two main elements of a bird are water and air. The speed of a swan in flight can be up to 80 km per hour. Well-developed muscles allow it to fly 1000 km or more. Thanks to their special plumage, these majestic birds rise up to 8000 meters. A flock of white swans flying in the sky always attracts attention and pleases the eye.
There are southern - sedentary, and northern - migratory species of swans. Eurasians prefer to winter in Central and South Asia and the Mediterranean. American ones go to the California coast and Florida. They choose a place to live near water and away from people. But if you feed them and show care, they are able to live not far from a person and maintain normal relationships with him.
What does it look like
Experts classified the swan as a member of the duck family and the order called Anseriformes. The male and female of such unusual birds do not differ much in terms of appearance.
The white swan has an impressive body size; its live weight ranges from 10 to 13 kg. It has an elongated body, up to 170 cm in length, and an elegant long neck, which allows it to obtain food from the very bottom of the reservoir. The wingspan is 2 meters. Depending on which of the 7 species they belong to, the parameters of swans vary: body length ranges from 1.2 - 1.8 m, wingspan - from 2 to 2.4 m, and weight - from 5 - 6 to 8 – 12 kg.
The bird's paws are dark, almost black, and are tilted back. They are quite short and have swim membranes, which make the bird's gait look awkward.
The coccygeal gland is located above the bird's short tail. It secretes fat to lubricate the feathers, which allows the swan to stay in the water for a long time without getting wet. Due to this fat, thermoregulation also increases.
The bird's beak is colored gray or black and yellow. In chicks, the beak has a pink tint and the tip is black. In many species, the beak has a knobby seal at the base.
A special feature of mute swans is their red beak. When swimming, the neck of such a handsome creature is stretched vertically, and the head and beak are directed forward. It assumes a pose in the water with its neck bent in an S-shape. At the same time, their beak is lowered down and their wings are raised.
The plumage of swans comes in three colors, depending on the species - bright white, gray and bluish-blackish. The black swan has white wing feathers and a dark neck against the general background of its plumage. The feathers are thick and lush thanks to the well-developed downy layer.
Legends are made about the relationship of these birds and their loyalty to their partner until the end of their lives. Scientists claim that these birds are monogamous and remain in pairs until the death of the companion. But when this happens, they are not left alone, but create a new couple in which a wonderful relationship reigns again.
The bird's plumage is very thick - there are about 25 thousand feathers on its body. This is a kind of record - a swan, losing a large amount of feather cover during the molting period, even temporarily loses the ability to fly.
The chick of both white and black swan is born with a body covered with gray down, which acquires a certain color a little later. Snow-white feathers traditionally appear in the third year of life.
The colors of swans largely depend on climatic conditions. If they live in the southern regions, the color will be darker, and if in the northern regions, the color will be lighter.
Black swans, as evidenced by ornithologists' notes, have same-sex marriages in which the female is needed only for bearing eggs. Then she is kicked out, and the males take over the hatching and raising of the offspring.
Swans are record holders in terms of flight altitude. At the end of the 60s, pilots managed to see several mute swans in the sky at an altitude of over 8200 meters. Radar helped record this amazing indicator. The birds were able to rise so high thanks to the feather cover that perfectly warms their body.
Species
The following types of swans are known:
- black;
- American;
- mute;
- whooper;
- black-necked;
- small;
- trumpeter.
The black species is found on the Australian continent, namely in its southwestern part. In nature reserves, the black swan lives in North America and New Zealand. This bird makes nests in river mouths and swamps. It is also found in zoos in many countries. Such a swan, unfortunately, is not listed in the Red Book, although its numbers are not that great. Both females and males have dark plumage and a red beak. The live weight of adult individuals is up to 9 kg, and the body length reaches 142 cm. Life expectancy in the natural environment is up to 10 years.
The black-necked species has a dark neck, in contrast to the snow-white body color. It has a gray beak with a growth. Weighs no more than 6.5 kg, body length - 140 cm. Lives in reeds and on islands. In natural conditions it lives up to 10 years, in captivity – up to 30 years. Adults often carry their offspring on their backs.
The mute swan has a live weight of up to 15 kg in park conditions, but in nature it weighs no more than 13 kg. Its wingspan reaches 2.5 meters. A snow-white body, an ocher head, a red beak, dark paws - it’s hard not to notice such a handsome man. At first, babies have brown feathers, which change by the age of 3. The mute mute is characterized by an S-shaped neck curve.
The whooper swan weighs about 12 kg. The body length is no less than 155 cm. The wingspan reaches 2.4 meters. A special feature of the bird is its lemon-colored beak with a dark ending. Juveniles have gray plumage and a dark head; adults have a snow-white body. In captivity, life expectancy is 30 years. The male remains faithful to the female even after her death. Keeps neck straight when swimming.
The trumpeter is in many ways similar to the whooper, if we take the description of external data, but has a completely dark beak color. His feathers are snow-white. Weighs up to 13 kg, body length is about 180 cm. The breeding season of trumpeters falls at the end of spring. The female lays up to 9 eggs and incubates them for 1 month. In natural conditions, trumpeters live no more than 10 years, in captivity - up to 30 years.
The American swan is recognized by experts as the smallest representative of this species. Weighs up to 10 kg, the body does not exceed 146 cm in length. It has a shorter neck than that of the whooper, and a rounded head. The beak is yellow with dark spots. To build a nest, it selects mossy areas of the tundra and the edges of water bodies. In captivity, it can live up to 29 years.
In its external features, the small swan is a bit like a whooper. It has a body length of up to 140 cm. The wingspan is fixed at 200 – 210 cm. It has a small yellow-black beak. It is distinguished by a characteristic pattern on its beak. Lives in Russia, in particular on the Kola Peninsula and Chukotka. In captivity it can live up to 20 years.
Video “How swans take off”
Watch this incredible spectacle when swans, resting on the water, fly into the air one after another.
The swan bird is a symbol of beauty, tenderness and grace. Thanks to their proud posture, these beautiful creatures are known all over the world and are constant heroes of a number of fairy tales, legends, traditions and modern cartoons. Many species of swans are permanent residents of city ponds, where people feed them. In addition, recently the practice of breeding swans in captivity for further maintenance in frequent artificial ponds and reservoirs.
The swan bird is a symbol of beauty, tenderness and grace.
These birds are under special protection in some regions of the planet, so their numbers remain stable. Some breeds of swans, which were in danger of extinction, were diverted from this dangerous trait due to the measures taken. Now their numbers are gradually recovering. Thanks to the increased attention from ornithologists, many interesting facts about swans, their life and behavior in the wild have become known to the general public.
Thanks to modern tools used to track the movements of wild birds, much more is known about their distribution areas than 50 years ago. Not only its appearance, but also its lifestyle depends on where a swan lives. The most numerous northern species tend to be migratory birds. In summer, they are found in tundra and forest areas of America and Europe. Here, during a period of abundance, they try to hatch chicks and fatten.
Some species of these unique birds are actively settling in the middle zone. This largely depends on whether there are freshwater bodies of water in a particular region that can provide these large birds with the necessary amount of food. Typically, northern species of swans migrate to more southern regions for the winter, populating the waters of Africa, India and some remote islands. Obtaining this information was made possible thanks to sensors that ornithologists studying the behavior of these birds attached to the legs of individual individuals. It became known that these birds do not always return to the same wintering place as in previous years.
When flying from the northern meadows, the American swan tries to find a suitable body of water in the south, that is, on the California coast and Florida, where it will be reliably protected from human eyes and predators. This species is protected because its numbers are not too high. The white swan can sometimes winter in the middle zone, inhabiting large urban reservoirs where the water does not freeze. Here the birds rely on regular feeding from people. The exact criteria for choosing a wintering site are unknown.
Thanks to their proud posture, these beautiful creatures are known all over the world.
Small populations live in Central Asia and northern Africa. In addition, the birds are found in New Zealand and Australia. In regions where the air temperature does not drop to critical levels, birds may not make long migrations. They typically live in tropical swamps and lakes. Usually these birds live in pairs throughout the year, protecting their chosen area from other birds. None of the swan species will tolerate invaders near them. They fiercely defend the territory they occupy.
Gallery: swan bird (25 photos)
The most graceful birds (video)
Appearance
Most people know from early childhood what this majestic bird looks like. This is due to the fact that swans have a number of characteristics that distinguish them from other members of the family. Birds are the largest waterfowl found in nature. Depending on the variety, the body length of the bird can vary from 1.2 to 1.8 m. The wingspan usually ranges from 2 to 3 m. The weight of a swan, depending on its variety, can range from 5-6 to 8-12 kg. The physique is very dense. The wings are strong and wide, which allows them to support a fairly large body weight. Considering the description of the swan, special attention is drawn to the long S-shaped neck.
Each species of these waterfowl has its own neck posture. For example, some species of these birds hold their necks vertically, while others bend their necks strongly. They need such a long neck for balance. The beak of birds is quite large in size. It is slightly flattened and wide. Some varieties have a characteristic thickening at the base.
The beak of a swan, depending on its breed, can be pure black, red or yellow, or include a combination of these colors.
Despite the fact that, when on the surface of the water, these birds look airy and graceful, on land they are very clumsy. This is due to the fact that their paws are relatively short and equipped with membranes. This makes it much more difficult to move on a hard surface. The paws are positioned so as to make it easier for the swan to swim. Usually the lower limbs are dark in color.
These birds have a rather short tail. Below it is the so-called coccygeal gland. Almost all waterfowl have it. This gland is necessary for the production of waxy fat, which is later used by the bird to lubricate its plumage. This treatment makes it waterproof. In most cases, the plumage of adults is a single color of gray, black or white, but some varieties have combinations of these colors. The swan's plumage is very soft to the touch, so these birds often became victims of people who wanted to get them. The young are easily recognizable as they are gray in color.
Most people know from early childhood what this majestic bird looks like.
Common types
These birds, depending on the area in which they settle, have acquired specific features. Currently, there are 7 main varieties of these birds, including:
- mute;
- whooper;
- black;
- black-necked;
- American;
- small
- trumpeter.
They all have their own individual characteristics. It is worth considering the most remarkable characteristics of the most commonly encountered varieties of these birds. For example, the whooper, which is extremely common in Eurasia, after several molts during puberty, acquires snow-white plumage, dark colored paws and a bright yellow beak. These creatures are distinguished by a timid disposition and try to stay in the center of the reservoir, away from the shores. These birds are called whoopers because they can be easily identified by the loud sounds they make.
Another common species that coexists with whoopers is the mute mute. Birds have a lot in common. However, mutes always keep their necks in a curved position while swimming, and whoopers always keep their necks in a vertical position. In addition, this species has a characteristic knob-like growth at the base of the beak. This white swan usually settles away from humans. They love privacy and silence very much.
The black-necked swan has a rather exotic appearance. These birds live only in a limited area in South America. These are very beautiful swans. Their body is covered with snow-white feathers, and their necks and heads are black. The black-necked swan looks very contrasting. The picture is complemented by a gray beak with a bright red knobby growth.
The American swan is also notable. He is one of the smallest representatives of this group. Individuals of this species of swans usually reach a weight of no more than 5-6 kg. They inhabit mainly tundra areas of North America. They choose quiet, remote areas to raise their chicks. Only here are there favorable conditions for these animals.
The trumpeter swan also deserves special attention. The bird followed a special path of development, and therefore has a number of differences from its relatives. The trumpeter swan strongly resembles a mute swan. This is a very large bird, weighing up to 13 kg. The body length of a bird such as the trumpeter swan is about 180 cm. A notable feature is the presence of an almost flat black beak without a bump. The trumpeter swan has very thick plumage, thanks to which it can arrive at nesting sites earlier than many other relatives. Due to their large size, these birds are a tasty prey for hunters. In some areas, the trumpeter swan is under special protection.
Whooper swan (video)
Lifestyle of swans
The main elements for this bird are air and water. Thanks to their unique body structure and very dense plumage, these majestic creatures are able to rise to a height of about 8000 m. Swans are monogamous creatures. They spend their entire life together with their partner. If one of the birds in a pair dies, the second can find a new mate, provided that it is young enough. Old individuals can spend the rest of their lives alone. Most species of these birds make long migrations. At the same time, there are also those who live sedentary lives. Swans, like all waterfowl, consume a wide variety of food that they can obtain in and around a body of water. Birds' diet usually includes:
- seaweed;
- roots;
- small aquatic insects;
- frogs;
- small fish;
- crustaceans;
- herbs.
Thus, a swan can be called an omnivore, since it can eat food of both plant and animal origin. Despite the fact that these birds cannot dive to great depths, their long neck helps them get food. Adult individuals have practically no natural enemies, since birds rarely go ashore, so attacks by large predatory animals do not pose a danger to them. When birds see a threat, they may fly or dive into the water. Birds of prey, including golden eagles and river ospreys, pose a serious threat to young individuals. A couple defending their territory can be very aggressive. They can easily drive away an arctic fox, a fox or a marten from the nest. In this case, adults use their large wings and strong beak. A large bird, when attacking, can even break a person's arm.
Behavior of swans during the breeding season
Despite the fact that birds arrive at their nesting sites quite early, their mating games generally begin in late spring, when the temperature has already become stable. First, a pair of swans engages in courtship, performing special synchronized movements that allow them to renew their existing relationship. Next, the female swan, having found a secluded place in the sedge, begins building a nest. This place should be so large that the female can safely incubate eggs in the future. It can be from 1.5 to 3 m in diameter. The height of a swan's nest can reach 0.8 m. Usually there are from 3 to 9 eggs in a clutch.
Swans have earned fame for their beauty and special stately grandeur. This small group of birds includes 7 species, sometimes the coscoroba is considered a swans - a waterfowl that looks like a swan with a shortened neck. Swans belong to the duck family; their closest relatives are geese and geese.
Coscoroba (Coscoroba coscoroba).
Swans are the largest of waterfowl. Body length varies from 1.2 to 1.8 m, wingspan 2-2.4 m, weight from 5-6 to 8-12 kg. The physique of these birds is dense, the wings are wide. Swans are characterized by a very long neck supporting a medium-sized head. Each species has a special neck posture: some hold it straight vertically, others bend it in the shape of the letter S. Their beak is wide and flattened. Swans have short legs with webbed swimming, which makes the swan's gait look awkward. Like all waterfowl, the swan's paws are set far back, which makes movement in the water easier. The tail is short, and the coccygeal gland is located above the tail. This gland secretes fat with which the bird lubricates its plumage. This lubricant makes the swan's plumage waterproof, which allows the bird to stay in water for a long time without getting wet, and also improves thermoregulation. The plumage of swans is thick and lush due to the well-developed down layer; the feathers themselves are very soft. All swans are uniformly white in color, with the exception of the black swan. In this species of bird, white flight feathers of the wing stand out against a general black background; also in the black-necked swan, a dark neck stands out against a white background. Swans have black feet, a black, yellow or red beak; many species have a knobby thickening at the base of the beak.
Mute swan (Cygnus olor).
Swans are widespread in Eurasia, North and South America and Australia. These birds live along the banks of reservoirs, and can settle both on relatively small rivers and lakes, and on the banks of large reservoirs - in sea lagoons and estuaries. All types of swans can be divided into 2 groups: northern species prefer to live in the temperate zone and are most often found in the tundra and northern forests, southern species live in lakes and swamps in the tropical zone. Southern species are sedentary, while northern species are migratory. Eurasian swans winter in Central and South Asia (India, Caspian Sea) and the Mediterranean, American swans spend the winter on the California coast and in Florida.
Lesser or tundra swans (Cygnus bewickii) in the spring tundra.
Swans live in pairs. Each pair occupies a certain area and protects it from the invasion of neighbors and other birds, but where swans nest en masse, the boundaries of their areas are erased, in this case the birds can place their nests close to each other and are more tolerant of their neighbors. Swans have a calm and unfussy disposition. Usually these birds swim slowly without making a sound. Swans rarely scream, but their voice is very clear. This is reflected in the names of some species (whooper swan, trumpeter swan). But the most famous species, the mute swan, is practically voiceless; these swans cannot scream, they only hiss when threatened. Swans are not timid birds; in case of danger, they try to scare away the enemy by stretching their necks, flapping their wings and biting with their beaks. Do not underestimate such “peaceful” methods of fighting - a swan is a large and strong bird and can break a teenager’s arm with a blow of its wing.
The swan believed that the gosling had invaded its territory and grabbed the chick. The parent pair of gray geese managed to recapture their child.
The flight of swans is light and free; during flights, swans create a wedge, at the head of which flies the strongest bird. The remaining members of the pack use the aerodynamic currents created by the leader and spend less energy. When the leader gets tired, another bird replaces him. Due to their large body mass, takeoff is difficult for swans; they flap their wings for a long time and move their paws while gaining height. For the same reason, swans never land on the ground, but only on the water; during landing, they clumsily brake with their paws on the water.
Flying swans.
Swans feed on seeds, buds and rhizomes of aquatic plants, small aquatic invertebrates and grass. They obtain food in the water, capsizing and plunging their necks deep into the water, or graze on the shore. They don't know how to dive.
The mating season begins early in northern species - 1-2 weeks after arrival at the nesting sites (in March-April); reproduction of tropical species is confined to the rainy season. Swans do not have mating fights, but they zealously defend their territory and the mate they like: if a swan sees a potential rival, it swims across it and loudly flapping its wings pursues 10-20 m.
A trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) chases off an opponent.
The mating itself takes place peacefully - the swans swim with slightly raised wings and nod their heads.
A pair of mute swans in demonstration poses.
Swans are monogamous birds, they form permanent pairs and remain faithful to their companion all their lives. There is a belief that a widowed bird commits suicide by falling from a height to the ground. Of course, there is no scientific truth in this statement. Although swans are faithful to each other, if a partner dies, a bird that is not too old can create a new pair. Swans' nests are huge; they build a pile of reed stems and grass with a diameter of 2-3 m and a height of 0.6-0.8 m.
Black swan (Cygnus atratus) on the nest.
There are 3-7 eggs in a clutch, the female incubates it, and the male guards the nest. Incubation lasts 33-40 days.
Swans' eggs are greenish-gray or light brown.
Interesting. that in all types of swans (both white and black) the chicks hatch covered with gray down.
Swan chicks.
The chicks are well developed and from the first days of life accompany their parents and search for food along with adults.
From time to time, the chicks dry out, using their mother's back to rest.
After molting, the chicks become covered with feathers and begin to fly (for the fastest-maturing small swan, after 40 days).
This black-necked swan (Cygnus melanocoryphus) chick is already big, but still rides on its mother's back as a child's habit.
Although swans can withstand attacks from small predators (raccoons, foxes and even coyotes), they also have many enemies. The above-mentioned animals can destroy an unattended clutch or kill a chick; otters can threaten chicks in water, and crocodiles can even eat an adult bird. Considerable danger also lurks in the air: swans are hunted by eagles, kites and other birds of prey.
People, on the one hand, have always admired the beauty of swans, and on the other hand, they have hunted them. In the Middle Ages, swan was considered the game of aristocrats, so they were hunted en masse to serve the nobility. As a result, almost all swan species have become rare. The most widespread mute swan in Europe disappeared from most of its range at the beginning of the 20th century. Fortunately, swans are well tamed and get along well in captivity. Thanks to the breeding of birds in nurseries, it was possible to re-acclimatize the mute swan in many parts of its range. Mute swans and black swans are among the most common ornamental birds; they can often be seen on the ponds of city parks.
Since ancient times, people have admired the extraordinary beauty and royal grandeur of swans. It is no coincidence that graceful creatures have become heroes of various fairy tales, myths and legends. Nature has endowed swans not only with external splendor, but also with amazing behavior and lifestyle features. Let's review the most interesting and surprising facts about these wonderful birds.
Size
Swans are the largest waterfowl in Europe. Depending on the species, the body length of adult individuals reaches 120-180 cm, and the weight can reach up to 15 kg. The wingspan of these birds is about 2-2.4 meters. In case of danger, a swan with a strong blow of its wing can cause significant harm to the enemy: break a bone and even kill a small predator.
Long neck
Among the duck family, swans have the longest necks. At the same time, the record holder among its relatives is the black swan, the cervical region of which consists of 23 vertebrae and reaches half the length of the individual’s body. Such an impressive neck size allows these birds to obtain food at the depths of reservoirs.
Good eyesight
Swans have excellent vision, which helps them find food and avoid enemies, including under water.
Plumage
Swans are champions in the number of feathers covering their bodies. In total they have 25 thousand individual feathers, forming a luxurious, thick plumage. When birds molt, they lose so many feathers there that they cannot even fly for some time.
Swan down has amazing thermal insulation, which allows birds to withstand the cold well. But this property became the reason for their mass extermination in medieval times.
Ornithologists have found that the color of the plumage of swans largely depends on their habitat. As a rule, birds in warm climates are darker in color than in cold climates. Therefore, in the northern regions you can find perfectly white individuals.
At the tip of the tail of swans there is a special gland that secretes oil to lubricate the feathers. Thanks to this, birds can swim in water for a long time without getting wet.
Altitude and flight speed
Thanks to their thick and warm plumage, swans can fly at record altitudes for birds. Back in the 60s of the 20th century, pilots recorded the flight of several individuals at an altitude exceeding 8200 meters.
Excellent muscles enable amazing birds to overcome flights of a thousand or more kilometers. Swans fly, forming a wedge, which is headed by the strongest individual. The aerodynamic flows created by the leader of the pack allow its other members to expend less energy. At the same time, swans can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h.
The large body mass prevents birds from taking off easily, so they have to flap their wings and move their paws for a long time in order to rise to the desired height. For the same reason, swans sit only on the water, clumsily braking with their paws on its surface.
Swan fidelity
Swans, having found their mate, become very attached to each other. Birds are able to recognize each other by appearance and will never confuse their partner with other individuals. At the same time, swans divide all the “hardships” of family life in half: together they get food, make flights, hatch and raise chicks, and take care of each other.
Birds take the death of their partner seriously. Not all individuals can create a new pair after the death of their significant other. Often, lonely swans leave the flock forever and live out their time in terrible melancholy and suffering. There are cases where faithful birds, having lost their partner, committed suicide by falling backwards from a great height.
The ability of swans to remain faithful to their partner throughout their lives is admired by people. It is no coincidence that these birds have become a symbol of real and sincere feelings, pure and mutual love. Many touching poems and songs have been written about swan fidelity.
Swan Solidarity
Swans treat not only their partner with care, but also other relatives. In cases of illness of one of the members of the flock, the birds may even postpone their flight until the individual recovers.
Same-sex couples
While studying black swans, ornithologists witnessed an unusual phenomenon. Males of these birds are capable of creating same-sex unions. In this case, birds use the female to lay eggs. After this, the male black swans drive her out and hatch and raise the offspring themselves.
Offspring
The female usually lays from 4 to 8 eggs, which incubates for 35 days. The chicks are born fluffy and, regardless of the species, have a gray color, which changes only in the third year of the bird’s life. Just a few days after birth, swans can swim independently with their parents.
Swans have very friendly and strong “families”. After the chicks grow up, they can live with their parents for a very long time.
Superstitions and signs
Since ancient times, swans have been the object of human observation. This explains the appearance of numerous signs and superstitions associated with wonderful birds.
Meeting white swans was considered lucky. Seeing a flock of white swans in the sky means your cherished desires will come true. A white swan swimming in the sea is a good sign for sailors, a sign of excellent weather.
A meeting with a black swan, on the contrary, according to signs, did not bode well. In England, this bird is considered a symbol of trouble and misfortune. Meeting a black swan on your wedding day promised imminent widowhood or an unhappy marriage. That is why in the old days unfortunate birds were killed, which led to a catastrophic decline in their population.
But killing white swans, according to popular belief, threatened the villain with serious health problems, life difficulties, and failures in all matters.
People also predicted the weather based on the behavior of these birds. For example, it is believed that if a swan begins to throw its head over its back during the day, bad weather will occur. Birds build nests at higher elevations - expect heavy rains.
- There are 7 species of swans in the world.
- The long life of swans in the natural environment is 25-28 years.
- The black swan is the emblem of Western Australia.
- The whooper swan is recognized as the national bird of Finland.