All species
resident
Least ConcernDucks, geese and swans
Mute Swan
The UK's largest waterbird, famed for its graceful glide and curved neck. Despite the name, mute swans can be vocal and are powerful fliers.
Cygnus olor
Lakes Rivers Reservoirs Coastal
Size
140-160 cm wingspan
Wingspan
200-240 cm
Weight
10-12 kg
Lifespan
10-20 years
Diet
Aquatic vegetation, pondweed and grasses; will also take grain and small invertebrates.
Song & Call
A variety of snorts, hisses and soft bugling notes.
Tap play to listen0:00
Speed
Visualizer
Recording by Alexander Kürthy · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
How to identify
- White plumage
- Orange bill with black knob
- Long S-curved neck
Conservation
Least Concern
Population recovering well; nesting swans need quiet waterside habitats.
