Mute Swan

 (Cygnus olor)
Also known as White swan

Live:British Isles, north central Europe, north central Asia, North Africa. Introduced from Britain to New Zealand for display in ornamental gardens etc 1866, found in Canterbury and the Hawkes Bay.

Habitat:Ponds, wetlands, streams, lakes and lagoons, in winter they may move to marine habitats.

Diet:  Mainly vegetation leaves and stems of aquatic plants, as well as frogs, worms and fish occasionally.
Zoo diet: they eat vegetation from the ponds and also duck mix.
Care: daily checks.

Breeding: September in New Zealand.
Nest: large mats of raupo, as far as they can be from other nests and above water level, lined with down. Strongly territorial, pairs defend feeding and nesting areas.
Eggs: 4 - 11 pale green-white

Status: Common

General:The largest waterfowl: Male to 1.5m and 13kg,female slightly smaller and lighter.
Wingspan to 2.5m.
Adults: plumage white. Brown eyes.
Black facial skin and fleshy knob on forehead.
Black legs and feet.
Orange bill with black edges, base and tip.
Long necks and short legs.

Male = Cob
Female = Pen
Young = Cygnet
A group of swans is called a herd

Call: A snorts, hisses and quiet whistles.

Habits: Annual moulting takes place October - December, breeding birds later.
Chicks can ride on their parents' backs, or under their wings. When swimming the bill is held pointing downward. Aggressive while protecting the nest, even domesticated swans are dangerous; their wings are powerful and can inflict serious injuries to much larger animals, including humans.
Posturing is a common form of communication, as their 'voices' are weak.

Chick: Light grey down. Grey-blue bill, legs and feet. Some cygnets are all white and do not develop the intermediate grey-brown stage of the juvenile before adulthood. They are led to water within a day of hatching.
Broods: single, incubation 5 weeks by female, but both guard the chicks.
Fledge: 5 months (but 60 days is average in its natural range)
Mute swans are usually 3 or 4 years old before they breed.
Swans do not mate for life, despite common belief, and have an elaborate courtship display. The pairs are generally monogamous for at least a season.
Life span: in the wild ~ 19 years, in captivity ~ about 35 years.

Predators:
The adult has few predators, unless old or ill. Eggs and young are preyed on by raccoons, mink and other similar sized predators.