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Mute Swan

Cygnus olor

1 photo

1 photographer

·Common · 1 pts

Our largest bird; silent in flight but magnificent.

1 community photo of Mute Swan on Things With Wings. Top-rated shots often use around 1/1600ss shutter, 300mm.

Green List (UK Birds of Conservation Concern); Least Concern (IUCN)

Lifespan: 15–20 years in the wild; can exceed 25 years in captivity
Size & Weight: 140–160 cm long, wingspan 200–240 cm; 7–15 kg (males heavier than females)
Habitat: Found on lakes, rivers, ponds, estuaries, and coastal waters with shallow margins and aquatic vegetation.
UK Distribution: Resident throughout England, Wales, and lowland Scotland; populations augmented by continental migrants in winter. Absent from upland areas and the far north.
Diet: Primarily aquatic vegetation including pondweeds, algae, and submerged plants; also grazes on grass and crops near water.
Predators: Foxes, mink, and crows may prey on cygnets; adult swans rarely taken due to large size and aggressive defence.
Mating Season: February to June, with peak activity April to May
Breeding: Clutch of 4–8 eggs; incubation period 35–41 days; typically one brood per year. Both parents fiercely defend nest and young.
Behaviour: Highly territorial during breeding season; monogamous pairs often remain together for life. Aggressive towards other swans and intruders; cygnets remain with parents for 4–5 months. Strong fliers despite their size.

Did You Know?

•The Mute Swan is the heaviest flying bird native to the UK
•They produce a distinctive loud trumpeting call during flight, despite their name
•Mute swans are subject to 'royal ownership'; historically, unmarked mute swans in open waters have been property of the Crown
•Lead ammunition ingestion from hunting shot has been a major cause of mortality, now restricted by UK law
•A group of swans is called a 'bevy' on water and a 'wedge' in flight

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Shutter

1/1600ss

ISO Range

800

Aperture

f/f/5.6

Focal Length

300mm

🐦 Mute Swan

Bird