The Mute Swan is the largest representative of the order
Weight is 7-13 kg, with park birds reaching up to 15 kg. The length, including the neck, can reach 160 cm, and the wingspan can be up to 240 cm. The plumage is white, with an often developed ochreous coating on the head and neck, which arises from the deposition of oxides dissolved in water. The main characteristic is that adult birds have a red bill, with a black bump on the forehead and a black base, a bridle, a velvety bump above the bill, claws, iris, and legs - all black.
The female is slightly smaller than the male, and the bump on her bill is smaller.
Young birds are light gray with a brownish tint, and their bill is gray-lilac. Weight ranges from 5.5 to 14.3 kg, length is 145-160 cm, male wings are 58.0-62.3 cm, females - 53.3-58.9 cm, wingspan is 208-238 cm. They gradually acquire their white plumage by the age of 3 years. Their neck is thicker than that of other white swans, and while swimming, mute swans usually hold it in an S-shape, often raising their wings in the form of spectacular "sails." Unlike northern swans, they do not produce trumpet calls and can only hiss. They rarely vocalize. When threatened, they hiss, and when disturbed at the nest, they emit a dull "hrr" or "korr."
The male and female exchange various quiet sounds during courtship. In flight, they produce "creaks" with their wings that are louder than those of other swans.
They actively protect their nest and eggs from predators, and can kill a fox or dog with a wing strike, or break a person's arm, delivering very sensitive pinches with their powerful bill. Their eggs are the largest among flying birds, measuring up to 120x80 mm. The chicks take to the wing at about 4.5 months of age. They reach sexual maturity at 4-5 years and can live up to 25 years in the wild.
Distribution
Almost all of Western Europe, central and southern Eastern Europe. During migration periods and in summer, they often fly into forest areas, tundra, and even to the Arctic coast. There is a gradual expansion of their range to the north, and in some places, they are already quite common. In Kyrgyzstan, they are a wintering species, but during the summer, young individuals have been observed at Issyk-Kul.
Red Book
