Swans are graceful and beautiful creatures and as such, people have many questions about them. They want to know about their mating rituals, their diet, their preferred habitats, and even their lifespans. How long do swans live for anyway? Swan lifespans actually vary and here’s what you’ll want to know!
Swan Lifespan
Swans are beloved long-necked birds that are part of the family Anatidae. These waterfowl live in ponds, lakes, marshes, estuaries, wetlands, streams, and elsewhere. The seven swan species are mute swans, black swans, trumpeter swans, black-necked swans, whooper swans, tundra swans, and coscoroba swans. In general, swans usually live for between 20 and even 30 years.
How Long Do Mute Swans Live?
Mute swans are enormous white birds that, true to their name, are typically quiet. They have strong hearing and eyesight. Wild mute swans can get to 19 years of age. They generally survive for 321 months in total. Captive ones are a whole other story. They can live for as long as 30 to 40 years. One specific mute swan in Denmark actually was able to get to an impressive 40 years old back in 2009.
How Long Do Tundra Swans Live?
Tundra swans are on the smaller side when it comes to swans and breed in North America’s distant Arctic region. Although their feathers are completely white, they have black feet and legs.
While the oldest known wild tundra swan lived for a minimum of 23 years and seven months, wild tundra swans generally survive for roughly a decade if they are lucky. Their captive counterparts sometimes live for twice as long so for a maximum of around 20 years.
How Long Do Trumpeter Swans Live?
Trumpeter swans have the distinction of being the largest waterfowl that are native to the vast North American continent. People occasionally confuse them with the previously mentioned tundra swan as they look similar and come from the same continent.
Trumpeter swans that are in the wild occasionally surpass 20 years of age. A prominent captive male of the species lived for longer than 35 years. He was a Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge resident.
How Long Do Black Swans Live?
Black swans primarily breed in the southwest and southeast parts of Australia. They’re nomadic creatures in their Down Under homelands. Although they come from the land Down Under, they’ve been brought to both Europe and North America. Black swans that are in the wild often survive for approximately 12 years. Black swans that are in captivity, on the other hand, can live for upward of four full decades.
The Life Cycle of a Swan
Typical swan life cycles are pretty straightforward. Female and male swans team up to create sizable nests using moss and grass. They create these nests on raised sections of land that are close to lakes and ponds. Female swans take things to the next level by laying between three and five eggs inside of the aforementioned nests.
Incubation is another major step. The females rest on top of the eggs as a means of promoting warmth. The males look over them for defense purposes. They safeguard the eggs from all kinds of outside dangers. Hatching is next. The eggs make their debuts once roughly 32 days have gone by.
Lastly, tiny cygnets gain the ability to swim. It doesn’t even take a day for them to gain this ability after hatching. They trail their mothers in order to locate sustenance. Swan youngsters frequently remain in the company of their mothers and fathers for approximately 18 months.
Dangers Swans Face
Many diverse components can affect longevity in swans. Unsurprisingly predators often influence how long swans live. Several examples of swan predators are raccoons, foxes, wolves, and human beings.
Since swans are impressively large and are defensive, they don’t actually have many natural predators. Other swan threats are collisions with power lines, deadly lead poisoning, severe weather conditions, poaching, and a broad range of illnesses.
Start Shopping for Birding Supplies!
Eagle Facts
Eagles are big and powerful built birds of prey. There are many amazing things you’ll want to know about these truly spectacular birds. So here are some of the most interesting eagle facts. The Steller’s Sea Eagle Is The Largest Eagle Species In The World The...
Birds That Look Like Cassowaries
Cassowaries are big flightless birds native to Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. These wary critters are well-known for their brightly-colored heads which have a casque or “helmet,” on top. However, despite their unique looks, they are often confused with...
Birds That Look Like Rheas
Rheas are large flightless birds native to South America. These big grayish-brown birds are well-known for their long necks and for using their wings to help them balance and change direction when running. However, they are often confused with several other types of...
Birds That Look Like Emus
Emus are large, brown, flightless birds that are only found in Australia. These Australian icons are well-known for their size and unique looks. However, they are often confused with several other types of birds that have a similar appearance. So here’s a list of...
Birds That Look Like Ostriches
Ostriches are flightless birds with bare necks and heads. They are well-known for their ability to run at high speeds but also because they’re the largest species in the world. However, they are often confused with several other types of birds that have a similar...
Black Vulture Pictures
Black vultures aren’t typically thought of in a positive light. However, these important birds help to keep the environment free of disease and harmful bacteria by feeding on the remains of dead animals. But there are many more interesting things about them as well....
Coyote Facts
The coyote is a wild canine found in North America that’s typically about the size of a medium-sized dog. There are many things you’ll want to know about this wily species that’s famous for its intelligence. So here are some of the most interesting coyote facts. The...
Turkey Vulture Facts
The turkey vulture, also known as the turkey buzzard, is a bird of prey with a unique red head. There are many interesting things you’ll want to know about this commonly seen vulture species. So here are the most amazing turkey vulture facts. The Turkey Vulture Has An...
Turkey Vulture Pictures
The turkey vulture is a widespread and distinct-looking bird of prey. And there are many more amazing things about this special species. So we’ve collected some of the best turkey vulture pictures to show you just how unique they are. Turkey Vultures Sunning To warm...
Vulture Facts
Vultures may not be known for their good looks however they do play an incredibly important role in the food chain and when it comes to preventing disease. There are many other interesting things you’ll want to know about these often misunderstood birds as well. So...
Vulture Pictures
Vultures are birds of prey that play a vital role in the natural balance. These flying scavengers help to keep the environment clean and free of diseases. And there are many more interesting things about them. So we’ve collected some of the best vulture...
Black Vulture Facts
The black vulture is a large bird of prey. It ranges from the Mid-Atlantic States in the U.S. all the way down through Central and most of South America. This widespread species has many interesting things about it. So here are the top black vulture facts. The Black...
Crow Facts
Crows are a group of birds that belong to the family Corvidae. They are known for their extremely high intelligence and sometimes mischievous behavior. They are fascinating animals and here are some of the most amazing crow facts. Crows Roost In Large Numbers Crows...
Owl Facts
Owls are nocturnal birds of prey. These birds are known for their large eyes and ability to fly almost in total silence. But there are many other interesting things about them as well. Here are some of the most amazing owl facts. The Biggest Owl In The World According...
Alligator Facts
Squirrel Facts
Most people are familiar with squirrels. These bushy-tailed acrobats can often be seen right in your own backyard. So you’ll want to know some of these amazing squirrel facts! The Largest Squirrel Species In The World Is The Malabar Giant Squirrel This species is also...
Squirrel Pictures
Squirrels are small to medium-sized rodents that live in a wide range of habitats and maybe even your own backyard. There are many fascinating things you’ll want to know about these critters. So we’ve compiled some of the best squirrel pictures to help show you just...
Owl Pictures
Owls are birds of prey that are mostly nocturnal. And there are many interesting things about these solitary and silent hunters. So we’ve collected some of the best owl pictures to show just how amazing they really are. Barn Owl The barn owl has the widest range of...
Swan Pictures
Swans are a large type of waterfowl that are well-known for their beauty. These birds are not only attractive but there are also many fascinating things about them as well. So we’ve compiled some of the best swan pictures to help show you just how amazing they are....
Goose Pictures
Geese are a group of waterfowl species that belong to the family Anatidae. Not only are they beautiful but there are many interesting things about them. We’ve compiled some of the best goose pictures to show you just how amazing these creatures are. Snow Goose The...