Is the mute swan really silent?

No—despite its name, it produces hisses, grunts, and other vocalizations, and its wingbeats create a distinctive humming sound audible from 1–2 km away.

What does the mute swan eat?

It feeds on a wide range of aquatic and land vegetation, supplemented by small amounts of aquatic insects, fish, and frogs.

Where is the mute swan originally from?

It is native to Europe and temperate Asia, with an estimated 500,000 birds in its native range, including around 350,000 in Russia alone.

Mute Swanコブハクチョウ

Cygnus olorLC— Least Concern

The mute swan is a large, long-necked waterfowl native to Europe and temperate Asia, easily recognized by its orange bill topped with a black knob and its habit of holding its neck in an elegant S-curve. Despite its name, it is not silent—it hisses and grunts, and its wingbeats produce a distinctive humming sound audible from over a kilometer away. Introduced populations established outside its native range, including in North America, have become invasive in some areas.

Mute Swan (reference photo) — Photo: Michal Klajban / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Anseriformes / Anatidae Source
Size: Total length about 140–160 cm, wingspan 200–240 cm
Weight: Males average 10.6–11.87 kg / females average 8.5–9.67 kg
Diet: Herbivore Feeds mainly on aquatic and terrestrial plants, along with small amounts of aquatic insects, fish, and frogs
Distribution: Native to Europe and temperate Asia, with an estimated 500,000 birds in its native range at the end of the breeding season, including about 350,000 in Russia alone. Source
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

The black knob of bare skin at the base of the upper bill gives the species its Japanese name, kobu-hakucho ("knobbed swan"). Source
The English name "mute swan" comes from the Western folk belief that the bird sings only as death approaches, but in reality it produces a variety of calls when needed. Source
The distinctive humming sound of its wingbeats can be heard from a range of 1 to 2 km, serving as a contact signal. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 3

Kiryuugaoka DoubutsuenGunmaIf driving, set your car navigation to "Kiryugaoka Amusement Park" (Kiryugaoka Yuenchi) rather than "Kiryugaoka Zoo" to reach the parking lot (searching by the zoo name may give an incorrect route).

Source

Noichi Zoological Park of Kochi PrefectureKochiA 20-minute walk or 13-minute rental-bicycle ride from Noichi Station on the Tosa Kuroshio Railway Gomen-Nahari Line.

Source

Himeji Shiritsu DoubutsuenHyogoOpened in 1951

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Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Least Concern (LC)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit: A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving: Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei: Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

Is the mute swan really silent?: No—despite its name, it produces hisses, grunts, and other vocalizations, and its wingbeats create a distinctive humming sound audible from 1–2 km away. Source
What does the mute swan eat?: It feeds on a wide range of aquatic and land vegetation, supplemented by small amounts of aquatic insects, fish, and frogs. Source
Where is the mute swan originally from?: It is native to Europe and temperate Asia, with an estimated 500,000 birds in its native range, including around 350,000 in Russia alone. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 3 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org