Scientific Name:
Cygnus olor
Distribution
Europe (including Greece), Asia. Introduced to New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and United states.
Diet:
Leaves, aquatic plants, grasses, algae, grains, occasionally small amphibians (frogs, toads and tadpoles) and aquatic invertebrates (molluscs, insects and worms), occasionally fish.
Facts
Habitat: variety of lowland freshwater wetlands such as shallow lakes, marshes, and small rivers.
Incubation: 35-41 days / 5-7 eggs
Social structure: groups of several thousands and pairs during breeding season
Weight: max15kg
Dimensions: max 160cm wing span: max 2.4m
Lifespan: 27
Estimated population in the wild: 600,000-610,000
Threats: lead poisoning , copper poisoning, entanglement in fishing lines and/or hooks collisions with overhead lines, oil spills, avian influenza outbreaks
IUCN Status: least concern
Did you know that:
1.In Greece the mute swan spends the winter gathering in large consecrations of 3,500 - 6,000 birds.
2.It is one of the heaviest flying birds of the world.
3.Contrary to the name, the mute name produces a range of vocalizations.