Mute swan - description, habitat, interesting facts

Mute swan is famous for its snow-white plumage, thanks to which the bird stands out from the general color. According to some beliefs, the individuals of the presented species are the personification of nobility and purity. If a swan chose a habitat next to a man’s house, it will bring good luck to the family. Also, these birds are considered a symbol of loyalty, so their statues adorn many wedding celebrations. It is believed that the swan promises a strong marriage. Of themselves, the presented bird is considered the largest due to the fact that its wingspan sometimes reaches 2-2.5 meters.

Features of the form

1. Sheepers belong to the goose family and are considered to be the largest among the sebaceous individuals. The graceful, big and white bird acts as a symbol of well-being and loyalty.Today, it is believed that the mute swan is the largest bird living in the expanses of our homeland. This is due to its weight, which can reach 15 kg.
2. Because of its rarity and peculiarities of the appearance of individuals of this group, they were included in many Red Books. We are talking about Belarus, Russia and the Republic of Tatarstan. Since the beginning of 1960, it was forbidden to hunt birds from this group, because individuals each time became less and less. Thanks to the introduction of the law, the number of partially restored, continues to increase, already reaching 350.000 heads.
3. If you want to look at the birds of this species, it is enough to go to the botanical gardens or artificially equipped parks with ponds. These birds adorn every water source, successfully exist in captivity and are not a problem for breeders.
4. It is impossible not to affect the external data of the birds. They are large in size, can reach two meters in wingspan. The neck is elongated, thin, elegant. The beak has a bright reddish tinge, the legs are dark and shortish. When an individual is in the aquatic environment, its neck turns into a zigzag, and the head is directed forward.This makes the bird look even more sophisticated.

Spread

1. These individuals do not remain in water areas with a strong current; they are more attracted by standing water sources. Usually found in ponds, reservoirs, lakes, rivers with a slow current. The main thing is to have reed thickets and other vegetation serving as shelter.
2. Individuals of this breed group are found in the expanses from Mongolia to the Scandinavian Peninsula. Often they are seen in Kazakhstan and China. Because of the increased hunting and poaching of individuals, it is now difficult to find in their usual habitat. To preserve the species, animal advocates set about spreading birds in other countries.
3. Shipunks perfectly take root and feel in African countries, in Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America. Due to close control over the population, the number of livestock is only increasing. Therefore, we can say that while everything is under control, the birds are not in danger.
4. When the cold comes, they go to winter in warmer climatic regions.Usually give preference to the Caspian or Mediterranean Sea with a mild climate. In the spring, individuals return to their native spaces and prepare for the continuation of the species.
5. To ensure their own safety and because of their individual characteristics, flights are carried out in flocks. When the spines fall in bad weather, they go down and stay on the ground until the weather improves. For this period, they stick their paws and their heads in the fluff, waiting.
6. To date, the population has been raised so that birds have spread to the territory of 70 countries. In any case, birds prefer standing water sources with a large number of reeds and other thickets on the sides.

Nutrition, reproduction and lifestyle

1. These birds almost never leave the territory of water, they hide from the eyes and rarely come ashore. However, some swans have already been fed that they can easily be near the person and take the feed from him in the form of pieces of bread.
2. Birds build a home for future offspring where there is a lot of thicket. They prefer small lakes where no one will disturb the chicks. Interestingly, couples are formed for life.When satellites occupy territory, they do not let anyone in.
3. The swan family feeds on vegetation that is located near a water source. Eat small fish, worms, cereals in rare cases.
4. Birds reach sexual maturity at 4 years. A female makes a clutch of 6 eggs, incubation takes about a month. Eggs are hatched only by the future mother of the offspring, but sometimes a male replaces her if there is an urgent need for food.
5. In fact, excellent fathers come out of the spines. They vigilantly guard the clutch, killing foxes with their most powerful wings. The birds are extremely aggressive during the nesting period, they are fearless and selfless.
6. When chicks are born, their weight is about 0.2 kg. After a short time, they can already get their own food, but at night they return to their parents for warming. After 4 months, babies already know how to soar in the air. Individuals live at least 26 years.

Mating season

1. Often the birds begin to nest in lakes with a large number of thickets. In such an environment, individuals start building nests.Presented swans are monogamous individuals. Therefore, they find a partner for a long time. As soon as the pair occupies a part of the reservoir, it prevents other birds from approaching their territory.
2. During the mating season, both individuals swim in pairs throughout the reservoir. The male begins to spread its wings and lower its head into the water. The female acts in a similar way. After the marriage dances, the swan swims up to the darling and braids her neck with his. As a result of long mating games, the female is completely immersed in water. Only the head remains on the surface.
3. It is at this point that the pairing process begins. After that, you will notice that the adults begin to make strange sounds. The pair begins to cuddle each other. After the marriage games and dances are completed, the birds start building a nest. The process necessarily takes place near water bodies or in shallow water.
4. Often, swans place their nests in the reed beds. They use moss and grass as a building material. The result is a fairly large structure. At the heart of such a nest most often lies last year's cane.The bottom of the nest is covered with down and dry grass.
5. The female is engaged in hatching eggs independently. The male at this time is engaged in the protection of the territory, which is adjacent to the nest. As soon as the swan senses or notices the danger, he begins to show aggression and hisses angrily. The female lays up to 8 eggs. After 32-35 days, the offspring appears.

Interesting Facts

1. Considered swans are able to take off only if they gain enough run. In addition, the swans are not so true, as mentioned in most legends. If something happens to a partner, soon the individual finds a new half. The problem is that such birds do not live alone.
2. Swans carry a special statute in Denmark and the UK. In the latter case, the individuals belong to the Queen, so they are under close guard. Denmark, in turn, recognized the graceful birds as the national symbol of the country.
3. If individuals live in a cold climate, their feathers will remain perfectly white. In the more southern regions of birds, on the contrary, the color begins to darken a little.
4. Individuals do not get wet due to the fact that their feathers are constantly lubricated. A special secret is in the short tail of the swans.
5. If individuals feel the danger, they are able to develop a rather impressive speed through the water. In a normal setting, the birds are calm and lead a measured life.

Shipoons are quite a unique species of swans. They are interesting to observe during the mating season. Males always protect their family and will stand to the last. It is worth noting that if one of the family members is sick, the swans will not go on a flight until everything is normal.

Video: Mute Swan and Little Swans