Swans symbolize love and grace in cultures around the world. We often see them gliding peacefully on lakes or forming heart shapes with their necks, but their real lives are far more intense than a fairy tale. In reality, these birds are fierce warriors who will fight to the death to protect their young. Furthermore, their biology includes hidden weapons and surprising capabilities that allow them to fly as high as jetliners. Prepare to wade into the water with the queens of the lake.
Swans
The King of the United Kingdom owns all unmarked mute swans in open water. This law dates back to the twelfth century when swans were considered a delicious luxury food for banquets. Today, the monarch still technically owns them, though they are no longer eaten.
A “Black Swan” was once a metaphor for something impossible. For centuries, Europeans believed all swans were white and used the phrase to describe something that could not exist. This changed instantly in 1697 when Dutch explorers discovered black swans in Australia.
They do not actually break human arms. A popular urban legend claims a swan’s wing is strong enough to snap a human bone. However, their bones are hollow and lightweight for flight, meaning they would likely break their own wing before breaking a human arm.
Swans generally mate for life, but divorce does happen. While they are famous for their monogamy, about three percent of pairs will separate. This usually occurs if they fail to raise healthy cygnets or if the male is not distinct enough in his protective duties.
Whooper swans can fly as high as 27,000 feet. Airline pilots have reported seeing them flying at the same altitude as passenger jets. This makes them one of the highest-flying birds in the animal kingdom.
They have serrated edges on their beaks that look like teeth. These jagged ridges, called lamellae, line their beaks and even their tongues. They use them to grip slippery aquatic plants and fish, which can give a nasty pinch to a human hand.
A group of swans has many different names. You can call them a bevy, a bank, or a wedge when they are flying. However, the most poetic collective noun for them is a “lamentation,” likely referring to the sad sound they make.
The “Ugly Duckling” story is biologically accurate. Swan chicks, known as cygnets, are born with grey or brown fluff rather than white feathers. They do not develop their brilliant white plumage until they are much older.
They sleep on one leg to conserve body heat. By tucking one leg up into their warm feathers, they reduce the amount of surface area exposed to the cold. They can also sleep while floating on the water to stay safe from land predators like foxes.
Parents will carry their babies on their backs. Mute swans are the only species of swan that regularly carry their cygnets between their wings. This protects the chicks from large fish like pike that might try to pull them underwater.
The “Swan Song” is a myth with a kernel of truth. Ancient Greeks believed swans sang a beautiful song just before they died. While this is not true for most species, the Whooper swan does emit a long, slow exhalation as its lungs collapse at death, which sounds like a final sigh.
They are incredibly fast in the air and on water. Despite their heavy size, they can fly at speeds of up to sixty miles per hour if they have a tailwind. On water, they can outsprint a human swimmer if they feel threatened.
Every year, officials count the swans on the River Thames in a ceremony called “Swan Upping.” The King’s Swan Marker wears a scarlet uniform and rows a skiff to weigh and measure the birds. This tradition ensures the population remains healthy and accounted for.
They have a “triumph ceremony” after winning a fight. When a pair of swans successfully chases away an intruder, they perform a specific dance. They swim toward each other, call loudly, and ruffle their feathers to celebrate their victory.
Finally, they can grieve for a lost partner. Because their bonds are so strong, a swan will often stay where its mate died or fly alone for years. Some have even been observed starving themselves due to depression after a loss.
