Mute Swan
Cygnus olor
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<div data-birdfyi="bird" data-slug="mute-swan"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://birdfyi.com/iframe/bird/mute-swan/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://birdfyi.com/bird/mute-swan/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://birdfyi.com/bird/mute-swan/)Use the native HTML custom element.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<birdfyi-bird slug="mute-swan"></birdfyi-bird>One of the heaviest flying birds, the Mute Swan reaches around 11 kg with a wingspan near 235 cm and holds its long neck in a distinctive S-curve. Adults are entirely white, while cygnets are grey-brown and whiten over their first year, and the orange bill bears a prominent black basal knob, larger in males. It grazes on submerged vegetation, algae, and grass, upending in shallow water to reach depths of about a metre. Despite its name it is not truly silent, giving hissing snorts when threatened, and its wings produce a loud rhythmic throbbing in flight. Nesting on lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and ornamental waters, it lays five to seven eggs, incubated for 31 to 41 days, with young fledging at 120 to 150 days. Native to Europe and western Asia, it has been introduced widely. The species is classified as Least Concern.
À propos
The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 14 kg. Despite its name, it is not truly mute, producing hissing, grunting, and snorting sounds. Mute swans form lifelong pair bonds and their aggressive defense of nesting territory is well known.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Body Length | 152,0 cm | 59.8 in |
| Envergure | 235,0 cm | 92.5 in |
| Poids | 11000,0 g | 388.01 oz |
Identification
Plumage
All-white plumage in adults. Cygnets are grey-brown, gradually whitening over the first year. Graceful S-curved neck posture is distinctive.
Bec
Orange bill with a prominent black knob at the base, larger in males
Habitat & Range
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
Répartition géographique
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Diet & Feeding
Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of about one meter with its long neck.
Statut de conservation
Comportement et reproduction
Nidification
Nest type: CP. Incubation: 31-41 days. Fledging: 120-150 days.
Taille de la couvée
5-7
Son
Chant
Despite its name, not truly mute: gives hissing snorts and low grunting when threatened. Wings produce a loud rhythmic whistling throbbing sound in flight.
Taxonomie
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Ordre | Anseriformes (Waterfowl) |
| Famille | Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans) |
| Genus | Cygnus |
| Espèces | Cygnus olor |
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| German | Höckerschwan |
| Spanish | Cisne Vulgar |
Distribution
Mute Swan has been recorded in 35 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Foire aux questions
What does the Mute Swan eat?
Where does the Mute Swan live?
Is the Mute Swan endangered?
How does the Mute Swan nest?
What does the Mute Swan sound like?
How big is the Mute Swan?
What order and family does the Mute Swan belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Anatidae family