The mute swan is one of the most well-known water birds in Britain. They're often seen gracefully gliding along our canals, river navigations, and reservoirs.
How many mute swans are there in the UK?
There are around 32,000 resident mute swans in the UK and about 7,000 breeding pairs. They can be seen all year round on most bodies of water and have been resident here since the Mediaeval period.
We have three species in the UK: mute, Bewick's and whooper swans. With their distinctive long necks in common, they look quite similar.
However, there are a few ways to tell them apart.
Mute swans are the only UK species with an orange bill with a black bulbous bump. Their wingspan can stretch to almost 2.5 metres, and they make slow, steady flaps when flying. Bewick's and whoopers have a yellow and black bill.
Mute swans are our most common swan in England and Wales. Bewick's and whooper swans are mostly migratory birds, travelling south for the winter. So, if you see a swan on our canals in spring or summer, it's likely a mute swan.
Cygnets begin flying at around four or five months.
How to tell if a swan is male or female?
Male and female mute swans appear nearly identical, although the male is typically larger all around with a larger head, thicker neck, and wider wingspan.
During the breeding season, the black knob on a male's bill will swell. The rest of the year, it's harder to differentiate between male and female mute swans.
Why are some mute swans grey?
Young mute swans, known as cygnets, have grey plumage that turns white as they mature. Swan cygnets are fluffy, with dark grey legs and beaks.
Mute swans aren't actually mute. If you've accidentally strayed too close to a swan's nest, you've probably heard their aggressive hiss.
So, why is a mute swan called 'mute'?
Mute swans can make a hoarse trumpet-like call to defend their territory. However, this sound isn't as carrying as the calls made by other swans, earning them their name.
How do mute swans breed?
Pairing for life and forming strong emotional bonds with their family, swans are perhaps as romantic as their reputation suggests. They find their mate at about two years old and start breeding at three or four.
Females lay around five to eight eggs, one every other day, and incubate them for just over a month. Both parents play a role in guarding and rearing their cygnets.
The male swan is called a 'cob'; the female is a 'pen'.
Do mute swans mate for life?
Mute swans can form a bond that lasts for many years, and some even mate for life. Sadly, some swans can get 'divorced' following a nesting failure. Widowed swans may also take up with a new mate.
What is the lifespan of a mute swan?
Mute swans can live to over 20, but, on average, they only survive for about 10 years in the wild. While mute swans are well-adapted to the modern world, habitat loss and water pollution can cause harm.
What to feed mute swans?
Mute swans mostly eat plants and aquatic vegetation.
If you're feeding swans on the canal, they love sweetcorn, potatoes, lettuce, oats, and seeds. Avoid giving them bread.
