Swans are recognized as one of the stately and graceful birds. A flock of flying swans is a rare sight. In addition, since ancient times, people have revered these birds as a symbol of nobility and purity.
Instructions
Step 1
Swans are a genus of birds belonging to the order Anseriformes and the duck family. Their closest relatives are geese and geese. Basically, this group of birds is not too large. There are only 7 species of swans all over the world. It is curious that some bird watchers also include the koskoroba - a bird that looks like a swan, but is not one.
Step 2
Swans are water birds. Moreover, they are the largest of all waterfowl. The body length of an adult can reach 1.8 m, and the wingspan is up to 2.5 m. Adult swans weigh from 5 kg to 12 kg. Swans are characterized by a very long neck and a small head. It is curious that a certain type of these beauties has a certain shape of their neck: some hold it straight upright, while others gracefully bend it. The constitution of all swans is dense, and the wings are wide.
Step 3
Since swans are waterfowl, their appearance is somewhat different from the structure of most birds. And the paws resemble flippers: a swimming membrane is stretched between the toes. The plumage of swans is very dense, and the coccygeal gland is developed on the coccyx. Its secret moisturizes the feathers of the swan, protecting them from the harmful effects of water.
Step 4
Females and males live in pairs, outwardly it is difficult to distinguish them from each other. Swan nesting sites are a specific area occupied and carefully guarded by them. Swans don't like it when neighbors or other birds invade their land. These creatures are aggressive and cocky. On their territories, swans recognize only their own family - a mating partner and chicks. In case of danger, these birds pounce on their enemies like crazy loons. Most of the life of these beauties is spent on the water: they slowly and silently swim. This does not mean that they have no voice. Swans are simply "taciturn" birds.
Step 5
Among other things, swans are migratory birds. It is curious that some of their species do not leave their nesting sites at all, while others fly away, and quite far away. Swans nest in Scandinavia, England, Ireland, Iceland, northern European Russia, Siberia and Kamchatka. Swans fly south for the winter. These handsome men fly like a wedge, at the head of which the most powerful swan flies. In flight, these birds are capable of speeds up to 80 km / h. There have been cases in history when passenger planes made forced landings due to damage caused by the swan wedge.
