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Dereila Nature Inn Home > Bird's Nest Lounge > Walking in the Wild > The Mute Swan

#29 - The Mute Swan

The Mute Swan, Cygnus olor, was introduced from Europe and now finds
its home in scattered spots in eastern North America and the west coast.

The Mute Swan is a huge white bird about 5 ft/1.5 m long and with a wingspan of over 6 ft/1.9 m. It is characterized by its black face and bright orange bill. It is generally renowned for its grace and beauty.


The Mute Swan uses it long neck to feed on water plants. Sometimes, it will curve its neck back and raise its wings up into a pose called busking, a display used when threatened. The Mute Swan is very territorial and will often attack people and other birds and animals. Despite its name, it's not at all mute, but is noted to be quieter than other swans.
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The young are dull-brown in colour and were the inspiration for Danish storyteller, Hans Christian Anderson's tale "The Ugly Duckling." The Mute Swan is also the national bird of Denmark.

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