Swans 101

¨ How Did They Get Here: The general concensus is the only true native species of swans in North America are the Tundra and  Trumpeter.  The mute, in particular, is thought to be a foreigner.  However, some Mute Swan advocates strongly believe they are native to North America.  The debate over this issue has been going on for over 50 years with no signs of it being resolved in the near future.  The country as a whole strongly maintains they are an invasive species.  Therefore, our stance at Grand Swan Farm is to respect their decision.  However,  we do NOT support the lethal means of removing them on public lakes.  We will do our best to find other means of removing the Mute Swan  so the natural environment of our lakes can be maintained.

The term "pinion" refers to the amputation of a section of either wing directly below the alula.  This is the only true way to ensure that swans will remain flightless their entire life.  There is no reversing this process. Wing "clipping" is the removal of 5 or so main flight feathers on either wing of the swan, leaving 2 to 3 inches of feather.  This procedure will also leave the swan flightless.  However, for the swan to remain flightless, this has to be performed each year after the swan is done molting, which is late summer.  ALL responsible swan owners pinion their birds before they reach 14 days of age to prevent creating feral populations.

          Swans breed in freshwater marshes, ponds, lakes and along slow-flowing rivers.  Most Swans find their mates before the age of 2 years - usually during the winter season. Even though some may nest for the first time when they are two years old, most won't start until they are 3 to 7 years old.  Swans are believed to form lifelong pair bonds. However, if one mate dies, the survivor will find another mate. In captivity, in particular, they are known to hybridize with Trumpeter Swans, Tundra Swans, Whooper Swans, Black Swans, Black-necked Swans, as well as with Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Swan Geese and Snow Geese.  Upon arrival in the breeding territory, the pair will engage in courtship behavior, which includes bobbing their heads and facing each other with quivering wings.  Nesting usually occurs from April through July.  They will nest in areas with ample food supply, shallow and uncontaminated water, and few disturbances. Usually, only one pair nests on a single body of water. These nesting territories range from 6 to 150 acres in size and are often located near where the female was hatched. The female chooses the nesting area, while the male defends it. Swan pairs are most likely to return to the same nesting site if they were able to raise young successfully there in the past.

Beginning in late April to June, the female usually starts laying eggs - often before the nest is even completed. Eggs are laid every other day until the clutch is complete. The average clutch consists of 1 to 11 eggs that are initially blue-green, then turn white and eventually brown with staining. If it is the female's first clutch, she is likely to lay fewer eggs and these eggs are more likely to be infertile. An egg is about 2.9 in (73 mm) wide and 4.5 in (113.5 mm) long; and weighs about 11.3 oz or 320 g.

Once a clutch is complete, the female incubates the eggs for about 32 to 37 days, while the male remains nearby to defend the nest against intruders and predators. Very rarely, the male may help brooding the eggs. During the incubation period, the female leaves the nest only for short periods to feed on nearby vegetation, bathe and preen her feathers - however, before doing so, she usually covers the eggs with nesting material to conceal them. The male will also remain nearby to deter predators.

The parents usually perform a "victory display" after intruders are deterred - which is similar to their courtship display and consists of facing each another while quivering their wings.