Swans
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Swans are Britains largest birds.
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If you treat a Swan with kindness, it will remember you as a friend forever. It will also remember its enemies.
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Swans live for 20 to 30 years.
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They will stay with the same mate for life.
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A male is called a "Cob" and female a "Pen".
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They can be identified by the black "nob" on their bill, the males is larger than the females.
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The most common Swan in the UK is the Mute Swan.
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The Mute Swan, is so called, as it makes no noise when flying, other than the sound of their wings flapping.
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The swishing noise of their wings in flight, can be heard up to half a mile away.
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They will sleep on land or water.
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The female lays 5-7 pale blue eggs after mid April and incubates them for 35-42 days.
Cygnets
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Baby Swans are called Cygnets.
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They are greyish-brown with a grey bill.
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They turn white at about a year old.
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Parents don't feed their Cygnets, but look after them until the next breeding season, usually around 10 months.
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At four months old, the Cygnets begin their flying lessons and practice.
Ducks
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The most common duck in the UK is the Mallard.
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The male is called a Drake and the female a Hen.
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Male ducks are more colourful than the female.
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They can recognise a human face and voice.
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Ducks live for 5-10 years.
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They will only stay with partners for around 4 months.
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Ducks can sleep on land or water.
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A mother duck incubates her eggs for 28 days, then they will all hatch together.
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Ducklings stay with their mothers for 50-60 days.
Some of the ducks and Swans that come to the table
Mute pair
Male Mallard
Female Tufted duck
Mute male
Female Mallard
Male Tufted duck
Cygnets
Gadwall
Female Mandarin
Ducklings
