| Photo Information |
Copyright: Christian Oskamp (crissie78)
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 20 W: 3 N: 70]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif) (387) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2006-05-11 |
| Categories: Birds |
| Exposure: f/6.3, 1/640 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2006-05-28 13:21 |
| Viewed: 1041 |
| Points: 2 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Cygnus olor (mute swan)
Geographic Range
Mute swans breed in the British Isles, north central Europe and north central Asia. They winter as far south as North Africa, the Near East, and to northwest India and Korea. They have been successfully introduced in North America, where they are a widespread species and permanent residents in many areas. (Reilly, 1968; Granlund, McPeek, and Adams, 1994)
Habitat
Mute swans are the most common swans in the wild, in parks or on country estates in their native range. In winter, they are more common on marine waters. They live in well-sheltered bays, open marshes, lakes, and ponds. (Reilly, 1968; Terres, 1980)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
temperate ; saltwater or marine ; freshwater .
Aquatic Biomes:
lakes and ponds; rivers and streams; coastal .
Wetlands: marsh .
Physical Description
Mass
9 to 13 kg
(19.8 to 28.6 lbs)
Length
144 to 158 cm
(56.69 to 62.2 in)
Wingspan
2 to 2.50 m
(6.56 to 8.2 ft)
Mute swans are large birds, measuring 144 to 158 cm. The wingspan is 2 to 2.5 meters. The two sexes are alike in appearance, except that males are generally larger than females. The plumage is white. They are best distinguished from North American swans by the knob at the base of the upper bill, and the color of the bill itself, which is orange, with the tip and base colored black. The head and neck may sometimes be stained brown from water and mud containing iron. (Reilly, 1968; Terres, 1980)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry .
Sexual dimorphism: male larger.
Breeding interval
Mute swans breed once yearly.
Breeding season
Breeding begins in March and April.
Eggs per season
5 to 12; avg. 5-7
Time to hatching
36 to 38 days
Adults are not paired for life, contrary to the stereotype of the 'pining swan' who has lost its mate. In fact, some have been observed to have as many as four mates, or even 'divorce' one mate in favor of another. However, established pairs are more successful breeders than non-established pairs and mute swans do form monogamous pairs for at least a season
source: Http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Cygnus_olor.html |
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