Sergey Dereliev

Large and heavy swan, breeding in most temperate areas of Europe. Largest native populations in Russia, many birds in Western Europe descendant from domesticated populations. Occurs in two colour-morphs, the grey morph has dark legs and grey cygnets, the white or ‘Polish’ morph has pinkish legs and white cygnets and originates from domestication. Feeds on submerged aquatic plants, and by grazing on land where it takes grass, and various agricultural crops. Can be hunted in many countries to prevent crop damage. European population is estimated at 83,400-116,000 pairs, with an increasing trend.

Season of assessment

B

Population trendIncreasing
Population size
(min-max, best estimate)		169000-236000,199000
Red List categoryLC
Franks, S., Fiedler, W., Arizaga, J., Jiguet, F., Nikolov, B., van der Jeugd, Ambrosini, R, Aizpurua, O., Bairlein, F., Clark, J., Fattorini, N, Hammond, M., Higgins, D, Levering, H., Skellorn, W., Spina, F, Thorup, K. Walker, J., Woodward, I. and Baillie, S.R. (1) (2022) Online Atlas of the movements of European bird populations. https://migrationatlas.org EURING/CMS (1) Principal investigator
Map

Overall Connectivity for Mute Swan

Network of well-connected nodes caused by movements of swans between very active local swan-ringing groups in larger towns and cities of Western and central Europe, Southern Scandinavia and Baltic, as well as to traditional moulting sites. Seasonal movements mainly between breeding and traditional moulting sites, where non-breeding swans gather in late summer and early autumn. Exchange between breeding / ringing sites mainly through natal dispersal. Otherwise largely sedentary in Europe with few long-distance movements. Native birds from northern part of range migratory.

Recoveries by Condition for Mute Swan

Large and increasing number of encounters, most after 2010. Over 80% refers to birds if which the ring was read in the field, occurring more or less equal in all areas. Few shot birds reported, nearly all of which in the Netherlands. Many ringing recoveries in Denmark and central and eastern Europe.

Annual Movements for Mute Swan

No seasonal pattern detectable other than that reencounters along coasts of Mediterranean and Black Sea are largely absent during May- July and re-encounters in Finland scarce during November-February.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Mute Swan

Birds breeding in central Europe during May-Sept mainly connect to sites close-by in the region in winter, except Polish breeders also wintering Slovenia and Croatia. Birds breeding in Baltic and Finland more migratory, with connections to coast of Poland, eastern Germany and Danish islands in winter. Fewer connections further W and SW to low countries, UK, France and Hungary. Birds breeding around Stockholm mainly in Denmark during winter, although some also staying year-round. Crimean breeding populations winters Evros Delta in Greece. Other populations no clear movements; UK birds sedentary year-round, birds breeding in low countries move little, but quite some moulting birds in August-September re-encountered in Denmark and Poland in all months.

Henk van der Jeugd

References

Statistics Map
N records N individuals N recoveries
Mapped data*
Total available data
*Mapped data include only distant (>= 50 km) recoveries