MUTE SWAN

Photographed at Waimarama, New Zealand, June 2017

(*   270)                   MUTE SWAN               Cygnus olor

NEW ZEALAND                 78

Found in lakes, parks, and private waterfowl collections. 150 cm. Rare European introduction found on the central east coast area of both North and South Island. 

SWAN

Photographed at Ambury, New Zealand, June 2017

(*   38)              BLACK SWAN               Cynus atratus

NEW ZEALAND                     8

A common Australian introduction found throughout New Zealand. 120 cm. Found on lakes, estuaries, and parks; sometimes at sea or on pastures.

Photographed at Napier, New Zealand, June 2017

MUTE SWAN (Australia)

Photographed in Northam, Western Australia April 2015

(Already 270)          MUTE SWAN           Cygnus olor

Australia                (403)

A native to much of Europe and Asia, and infrequent visitor to northern Africa; introduced to North America, Australia and southern Africa. In Australia range is Northam Weir, Avon River, WA and reported at Lake Leake (TAS). 125-170 cm. Called 'mute' as not as noisy as other swans. The total native population of swans is about 500,000, of these 350,000 are in the former Soviet Union, 22,000 in the UK. For many centuries in Britain swans were breed for food, the owners would mark or brand the beak or feet and these marks were registered with the crown. A Royal Swanherder was appointed and any birds not branded were considered property of the crown.

MUTE SWAN

Photographed in England

270          MUTE SWAN           Cygnus olor

Britain        (5)

A native to much of Europe and Asia,and infrequent visitor to northern Africa; introduced to North America, Australia and southern Africa. 125-170 cm. Called 'mute' as not as noisy as other swans. The total native population of swans is about 500,000, of these 350,000 are in the former Soviet Union, 22,000 in the UK. For many centuries in Britain swans were breed for food, the owners would mark or brand the beak or feet and these marks were registered with the crown. A Royal Swanherder was appointed and any birds not branded were considered property of the crown.