Is there a more iconic bird to be found on our ponds, lakes and shorelines than the swan?
They have a complex history, pictured on tapestries and paintings as the symbol of love, famous for their royal protection and sometimes unfairly portrayed as one of the more aggressive birds around.
It’s no surprise Bird Aware gets asked about swans all the time, in fact, it’s the species that’s most frequently asked about through our website. So, we’ve pulled our team’s brains together to give you the ultimate run-down on all things swan-related in the UK, to answer the top four questions asked about this beautiful bird.
1. Is there more than one species of swan?
In the UK, you are most likely to find a native species called the mute swan: a white giant standing at around 1.5m tall.
Looking at these birds it’s easy to tell how they stemmed from dinosaurs, with a long, curved neck and a beak with serrated edges. There is evidence to show that swans have been around in the UK for over 10,000 years.
The most characteristic features of adult mute swans are their orange-coloured beak, which defines them from other swan species such as the whooper swan and Bewick’s swan that both sport black and yellow beaks instead.
If you see a similar-matching swan with a dull beak, this is most likely a juvenile mute swan.
A whooper swan with a black and yellow bill
A Bewick’s swan – smaller than the other two swans
A juvenile mute swan with less vibrant bill
If you’ve spotted a similar sized swan but it’s completely black with a red bill, then you’ve seen a non-native resident bird. Most black swans originally escaped from collections around the UK, but they now breed regularly in the wild. They were originally introduced from Australia.
2. Are all swans owned by the King?
The King owns any unclaimed mute swan in open water in both England and Wales: a law from medieval times. He retains the right to claim ownership of any unmarked mute swan swimming in open waters, but this right is really only enforced on some stretches of the Thames.
The Crown has a special team called the ‘Swan Uppers’, that conduct a census each year into the health of mute swan populations along a stretch of the Thames by weighing them.
In addition to their royal protection, they’re protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which forbids the killing or keeping of mute swans. In fact, all wild bird species, their eggs and nests are protected by law.
3. Are swans dangerous?
Have you ever heard someone say that swans can break your arm with a flap of their wings? This is a myth.
There is no doubt that, standing at a metre and a half, mute swans are incredibly powerful, but bird bones in general are designed to be light for flight, so aren’t able to break human bone.
Occasionally, when we pass them in a pond or river, they might hiss at us or raise their wings to make themselves known.
This is very natural of any species, particularly swans who are territorial. The males are quick to display, particularly when caring for their cygnets or defending a nest.
In most cases, swans want to avoid conflict, and so as long as we remain respectful in their environment, there is no need to worry about them.
This display of aggression is aimed towards any territorial intruders, including our dogs. For this reason, as in any natural environment, it’s wise to keep our dogs closely alongside, and on leads if it’s a particularly sensitive area for wildlife.
4. Do swans mate for life?
Mute swans are famous for their monogamy, finding life-long companions, which is why they are the symbol of love in many cultures, such as Greek mythology.
If they have had an unsuccessful breeding season, it is not unheard of for swans to find new partners. They can go through a bird ‘divorce’, or if a partner dies then they will find another.
Either way, establishing a pair bond is essential for swans. Courtship display involves synchronised head dipping, preening and the rubbing of back and flanks.
Watching mute swans share our coastlines with tiny birds like sanderlings and dunlins shows just how diverse birds can be. As they continue to be important symbols in our day-to-day lives, we hope you continue to enjoy these incredible birds from a safe distance.
