Mute Swan

The mute swan breeds across the British Isles, north-central Europe, and north-central Asia, wintering south to northern Africa, the Near East, northwestern India, and Korea. Introduced populations are also widespread in North America. It occupies sheltered bays, open marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers, coasts, and estuaries, using marine waters more often during winter. Adults are enormous waterbirds measuring 144–158 cm, spanning 2–2.5 m, and weighing 7.6–14.3 kg. Males are generally larger than females. (Animal Diversity Web)

Aquatic vegetation forms the bulk of the mute swan’s diet, supplemented by small quantities of aquatic insects, fish, and frogs. Rather than diving, it submerges its long neck and head to reach plants unavailable to shorter waterfowl. Adults form seasonally monogamous pairs, although lifelong fidelity is not universal. Breeding begins in March or April. Clutches contain five to twelve eggs, most commonly five to seven, and hatch after 36–38 days. Both parents incubate, though the female sits more while the male guards nearby. (Animal Diversity Web)