Mute Swan

Status: Common.Range: British Isles, north central Europe, north central Asia, North Africa. Introduced in North America.Habitat: Ponds, wetlands, lakes and lagoons; in winter they may move to marine habitats.Food: Mostly water plants and algae plus small amounts of aquatic insects, fish, and frogs. Swans feed in deeper waters than ducks and thus do not compete with them directly for food.Reproduction: Despite common belief, swans do not necessarily mate for life. Nest selection and breeding begins in March or early April. Typically 5 to 7 eggs are incubated by the pen (female) while the cob (male) usually stands guard. Cygnets (young) hatch after 36 to 38 days.Facts: Mute swans are usually silent, as the name suggests, but they can make hissing, barking calls or whistles. Their lifespan is about 20 years in the wild and about 35 years in captivity.