Monday, August 8, 2011

Mostly Trivia Monday - Wow, Swans!


Was tickled to see this on the way home yesterday--what a treat.  Since I don't know a lot about swans I thought I'd share what I found while checking up on these beautiful birds.  Did you know a male is a cob, a female is a pen, and young are called cygnets?

Never having seen cygnets so close before prompted this picture.  They had no interest in leaving and showed no fear.  We just parked next to them to watch them and take the picture. 

  • In bygone years swan feathers were prized for the best quill pens. 
  • Swans can live over 24 years.
  • Trumpeter swans, like the picture above, are assumed to mate for life.
  • Swans are the largest of North American waterfowl.
  • A clutch (group of swan eggs) size is 1 to 9 eggs. 
  • Swans are creamy white colored as adults.
  • These beautiful birds live in a lake/pond habitat and dine on aquatic vegetation, grasses and grains.  Their nests are found on the ground.
If you're interested in finding more information about these gorgeous birds visit The Trumpeter Swan Society website at http://www.trumpeterswansociety.org/ or The Cornell Lab of Ornithology--All About Birds website at  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/

At one time these wonders were almost extinct, but they are fairly common now.  Hope to see more of these along our travels.

Blessings!

2 comments:

Annette W. said...

Very nice sighting! I did know about cygnets...but not the cob or pen.

Zelda said...

what a lovely sight - Would love to see something like that here :)

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