View the Mute Swan photography of Bruce Dayton

Mute Swan
Cygnus olor

Large, all-white waterfowl
Long, curved neck
Orange bill and black face
Size: 50-60 in
Wingspan: 82-94 in
Weight: 194-505 ounces
Sexes look alike, male slightly larger and with larger knob on bill

NOTE
Downy young Mute Swans (called cygnets) come in two color morphs: a gray form and a white form. The gray (or "Royal") chicks start off with gray down and grow in gray-brown and white feathers, giving them a mottled look.

"NOT MUTE"
Has a quiet Call

Syllables: mute swan
Pronunciation: myut swan



Mute Swan
1-1	MtSw_08x10_024841	8x10 Print	$10.00
1-2	MtSw_12x18_024841	12x18 Print	$40.00


Mute Swan
2-1	MtSw_08x10_029940	8x10 Print	$10.00
2-2	MtSw_12x18_029940	12x18 Print	$40.00


Mute Swan
3-1	MtSw_08x10_029960	8x10 Print	$10.00
3-2	MtSw_12x18_029960	12x18 Print	$40.00


Mute Swan
4-1	MtSw_08x10_029969	8x10 Print	$10.00
4-2	MtSw_12x18_029969	12x18 Print	$40.00


Mute Swan
5-1	MtSw_08x10_029953	8x10 Print	$10.00
5-2	MtSw_11x14_029953	11x14 Print	$35.00


Mute Swan
6-1	MtSw_08x10_029961	8x10 Print	$10.00
6-2	MtSw_11x14_029961	11x14 Print	$35.00

NOTES

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The Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
is a common Eurasian member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae.

This bird is found naturally mainly in temperate areas of Europe and western Asia. It is not migratory, although eastern populations must move in winter when the lakes freeze.

Owing to its looks, this species is often kept in captivity to decorate parks and ponds, and descendants of such birds have become naturalized in the eastern United States and Great Lakes. In some locations, such as Chesapeake Bay, the numbers of these feral birds has increased to the point where they are considered pests because they compete with native birds for habitat and food.

This huge swan is 125-155 cm long with a 200-240 cm wingspan. They stand over 1.2 m (four feet) tall. Males are larger than females. This is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing more than 12kg (27 lb), and females more than 11 kg (25 lb).

Its size, orange-reddish bill and white plumage make this swan almost unmistakable. The most similar species is Whooper Swan, but that has a yellow and black bill, and lacks the curved "swan" neck and is longer and heavier.

Young birds, called "cygnets", are not the bright white of mature adults, and lack the bright orange bill. The color of the down may be a dull white or gray, and controversy exists over whether the color is related to their gender.

Mute Swans nest on large mounds that they build in the middle of a shallow lake. These monogamous birds reuse the same nest each year, restoring or rebuilding it as needed. Male and female swans share the care of the nest, and once the cygnets are fledged it is not uncommon to see whole families looking for food. They feed on submerged aquatic vegetation, reached with their long bills.

Mute Swan

Scientific classification

         Kingdom: Animalia
         Phylum:   Chordata
         Class:   Aves
         Order:   Anseriformes
         Family:   Anatidae
         Genus:   Cygnus
         Species:   olor

Binomial name
Cygnus olor