18/06/2024
The mute swan (Cygnus olor).
The mute swan (Cygnus olor) is a species of swan and a member of the waterfowl family Anatidae.
It is one of the heaviest birds capable of flying, with males weighing on average about 10.2 kg and females about 8.4 kg. Adults measure 125 to 170 cm long with a wingspan of 200 to 240 cm. The Mute Swan can become aggressive, especially during the nesting season.
It consists mainly of submerged aquatic plants such as Canada's water lily, rushes, characeae of the Chara genus, green algae and also young willow leaves. The mute swan consumes to a lesser extent several species of amphibians, molluscs and small aquatic organisms.
the mute swan uses three methods to feed himself: surface feeding, head and neck diving and body diving. When feeding the surface, the spout is kept horizontal and filters the water. This method is used from 51 to more than 60% of the time. The dive of the head and neck can last 10 seconds; the body is then held horizontally on the surface. When diving the body, the whole body is submerged except the tail and legs. Swans can dive below the surface of the water.
The female usually lays 4 to 8 eggs at one egg per two days5. The size of these eggs is extreme: 98.8-122.0 mm × 68.0-80.0 mm. Although the male and the female take care of the nest, the brooding, which lasts from 34 to 41 days, is ensured mainly by the female. The chicks are nidifugous and remain at nest less than 48 hours. When the chicks leave the nest, the families seek their food together.
