by Temujin

As I went to the Lake District recently, this week's ornithological wonder is the delightful (and large) mute swan.

It is slightly over five feet long (tail tip to beak-end) and weighs around 3.5st. They're heavier than whooper swans and larger (and heavier) than Bewick's swan, and are recognisable not only because they're the most famous sort of swan but also by the black blobby bit on their collective beak (very technical I know).

In the UK some are resident and others emigrate during winter, with a total breeding population of about 30,000 and a total winter population of about 43,000.

Their natural diet includes water plants, insects and snails.

The third picture is that of a juvenile swan, which is why it looks rather dirty. It was surrounded by mallard ducks at the time, and let loose a very impressive hiss, which I attempted to video but sadly there was no repeat performance. The ducks scattered at the foreboding sound, which is the only one typically (and rarely) made by the mute swan, which is well-named.

(click images for larger version)