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Mute Swan - Page 2

© Fred Kane

Voice- The Mute Swan is generally quiet but do hiss and sometimes utters pup like yelps notes or loud high pitched humming sounds. Their sounds are do not carry very far because their trachea is almost straight with no long helix as in the noisier voiced Trumpeter and Whistling swans. Their wing rhythms make lyrical throbbing or a buzz sound that can be noticed from a distance. There is ordinarily no mass departure in spring and fall. In winter they often move from ice bound fresh water ponds to nearby open water, where they gather in flocks.

Nesting- The nesting pair customarily inhabit a small lake or pond, seldom nesting together in a community. They energetically protect their nests and young from intruders. Where swans live near me they chase all birds and predators away including the Canada geese. Their nest is a large heap of aquatic plants, sticks, reeds, and roots collected by the pair of swans on an island in a pond or on its banks. The swans line the nest with down and feathers.

EGGS: Some time from the end of March 30 to the midle of June the female lays four to six gray or blue-green eggs. Incubation is customarily by female solely, guarded by male. Incubationlasts about 35-38 days, usually 35. Young swans first fly about 110 days after hatching. Chicks are light gray above. The young only stay one day in nest. Male mute swans regularly takes the first hatched cygnets to water while female remains to hatch the rest of eggs. Sometimes the new chicks will ride on backs of parents or under their wings.

WHERE TO LOOK, SPRING AND SUMMER: Pond swans use the nest they used for the past years on the island or in the reeds. You can see the swan family swimming around the lake or pond.

WHERE TO LOOK, FALL AND WINTER: In September a pair of Mute Swans return to the Hudson River where they stay through the winter. Certain years they arrive with their cygnets, and sometimes arrive without a family. Because of winter feeding, by river guest and marina inhabitants who supply the swans with whole grain bread, the pair remains at the boat launch throughout the winter and depart for their summer reproduction grounds in mid March.

The Mute Swans of Central Park remain on the lake until it freezes over and then leave for the winter, returning in March. During a mild winter the swans stayed in Central Park throughout the winter.

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