What are mute swans?
Mute swans are a species of white swan (Cygnus olor) with a distinctive red bill. These spectacular birds can reach up to five feet tall and can weigh up to 30 pounds. Pairs of swans tend nests of 5-8 eggs in the spring. The “ugly ducklings” (or cygnets) hatch within 38 days and stay with their parents for about a year. In the wild, pairs tend to mate for life, and individuals may live for nearly 20 years.
