The whooper swan gets its name from the loud, trumpet-like calls it makes especially in flight. When swimming, the neck is held vertically, the wings are tightly pressed to the body. Usually the whooper swan, like all swans, swims leisurely and majestically, but if you pursue it, you can hardly catch it even by boat. Taking off from the water, it scatters for a long time, thrashes the water with its paws, gradually gaining speed and height. He does not like to walk on the ground and does this extremely reluctantly and rarely. The whooper is a cautious bird that keeps to wide expanses of water, away from the coast. The blow of a whooper's wing is so strong that it can break a child's arm.
Nutrition
Whooper swans feed mainly on plant foods, aquatic plants, and also eat small invertebrates. The chicks feed mainly on animal food in shallow water, foraging from the bottom by diving halfway into the water like ducks.
reproduction
Whooper swans are monogamous birds that form pairs for life, and the birds stay together even during the winter. A change of partner is possible only in the event of the death of one of the swans. Whoopers nest on the banks of reservoirs: if possible, large lakes covered with dense thickets. As a rule, these are deaf forest lakes, far from people. Sometimes it also nests on the sea coasts, if there are thickets of reeds. If the birds are not disturbed, they nest in the vicinity of human habitation. The whooper nesting area is a rather vast territory where other swans do not enter; in case of violation of the boundaries between the whoopers, fierce fights occur, usually on the water. Nests are huge heaps of withered vegetation, which is collected mainly by the female. The diameter of the nest at the base is about 1 m, sometimes up to 2-3 m. The height is about 0.5-0.8 m. The diameter of the tray is about 40-50 cm. The bottom of the tray is lined with grass, moss and feathers plucked from the abdomen and chest of the female. The clutch contains 3-7 eggs, which are incubated by the female. The eggs are white or yellowish. When the clutch dies, a second one is laid, but always with a smaller number of eggs. While the female is incubating the eggs, the male is nearby and guards the nest. After 5 weeks, the chicks hatch and are cared for by both parents. Chicks can get their own food. Often, chicks stay close to their parents after they learn to fly.
Voice
intermediate ranks
Cygnus cygnus (Linnaeus, )
nesting sites
Migrations
| Systematics on Wikispecies |
Images at Wikimedia Commons |
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The whooper swan is the national symbol of Finland.
general characteristics
Whooper swan is a large bird weighing from 7 to 10 kg, sometimes more. The body is elongated, the length of the neck is approximately equal to the length of the body. The legs are short, carried back. The plumage has a lot of down. The beak is lemon yellow with a black tip. The plumage is white. Young birds have smoky gray plumage with a darker head. The whooper acquires a pure white color of plumage only in the third year of life. The male and the female are practically indistinguishable from each other. The whooper holds his neck straight, without bending it in the shape of the letter "S", like a mute swan. The whooper swan itself is also somewhat smaller than the mute.
Flight of a swan.
Spreading
Whooper swans nest on the northern borders of the forests of Eurasia from Scandinavia and Scotland to Chukotka and Sakhalin. In the south, they are found up to Lake Ladoga, Mongolia, northern Japan, and the northern part of the Caspian Sea. They fly to the north of the Mediterranean Sea, to the Caspian Sea, as well as to Central, South and Southeast Asia for the winter. Only a few birds remain to winter in their nesting sites. Whoopers usually do not fly away for wintering from Scandinavia, on the White and Baltic Seas. Swans also remain to winter, living on non-freezing or not completely freezing reservoirs of Eurasia. Whoopers arrive at nesting sites in pairs throughout the spring, starting from mid-March. In Kyrgyzstan In the Omsk region, the whooper swan is found in the reservoirs of the Tauride, Bolsherechensky districts, on Lake Buturla in the Nazyvaevsky district. During the period of migration, it regularly appears on the waters of the "Bird's Harbor". The largest nesting concentrations of the whooper swan have been noted in the Bairovsky Republican State Complex Preserve, one of the main activities of which is the reproduction and protection of swans.
Lifestyle
The whooper swan gets its name from the loud, trumpet-like calls it makes especially in flight. When swimming, the neck is held vertically, the wings are tightly pressed to the body. Usually the whooper swan, like all swans, swims leisurely and majestically, but if you pursue it, you can hardly catch it even by boat. Taking off from the water, it scatters for a long time, thrashes the water with its paws, gradually gaining speed and height. He does not like to walk on the ground and does this extremely reluctantly and rarely. The whooper is a cautious bird that keeps to wide expanses of water, away from the coast. The blow of a whooper's wing is so strong that it can break a child's arm.
Nutrition
Whooper swans feed mainly on plant foods, aquatic plants, and also eat small invertebrates. The chicks feed mainly on animal food in shallow water, foraging from the bottom by diving halfway into the water like ducks.
reproduction
Whooper swans are monogamous birds that form pairs for life, and the birds stay together even during the winter. A change of partner is possible only in the event of the death of one of the swans. Whoopers nest on the banks of reservoirs: if possible, large lakes covered with dense thickets. As a rule, these are deaf forest lakes, far from people. Sometimes it also nests on the sea coasts, if there are thickets of reeds. If the birds are not disturbed, they nest in the vicinity of human habitation. The whooper nesting area is a rather vast territory where other swans do not enter; in case of violation of the boundaries between the whoopers, fierce fights occur, usually on the water. Nests are huge heaps of withered vegetation, which is collected mainly by the female. The diameter of the nest at the base is about 1 m, sometimes up to 2-3 m. The height is about 0.5-0.8 m. The diameter of the tray is about 40-50 cm. The bottom of the tray is lined with grass, moss and feathers plucked from the abdomen and chest of the female. The clutch contains 3-7 eggs, which are incubated by the female. The eggs are white or yellowish. When the clutch dies, a second one is laid, but always with a smaller number of eggs. While the female is incubating the eggs, the male is nearby and guards the nest. After 5 weeks, the chicks hatch and are cared for by both parents. Chicks can get their own food. Often, chicks stay close to their parents after they learn to fly.
Voice
Notes
Literature
- Beychek V., Stasny K. Birds. Illustrated encyclopedia. - M.: Labyrinth-press, 2001.
- Akimushkin I. Animal world. Birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles. - M.: Thought, 1995.
- The world of animals in 7 vols. T.6 Birds. - M.: Enlightenment, 1986.
Whooper swan is one of the largest and extraordinarily beautiful species of birds that live in the territories of many countries. These are rather shy birds, so it is very difficult to find them in the wild. Whooper swans nest in secluded and quiet places, away from human eyes. Due to the intensive reduction of their habitats, they are under the threat of extinction. Therefore, this breed of swans is listed in the Red Book.
The whooper swan is often mentioned in folklore and is a symbol of fidelity, love and purity. But there are other, no less interesting, facts about whoopers:
- the main difference between individuals of this breed from other species is the absence of a characteristic bump on the surface of the beak of the whooper;
- whoopers are the only breed of swans that has a straight long neck, without a bend;
- males quite often enter into bloody battles for habitats, or for a chosen companion;
- adults are quite strong and have incredible strength, and therefore with only one wing they can deliver a fatal blow to a small animal and even break a human hand;
- many peoples of the Trans-Urals elevated these birds and made totems with their appearance, and some peoples believed that they came from swans;
- in Siberia there was a belief that with the onset of winter cold, whoopers turn into snow, and by spring they again turn into swans.
At all times, whooper swans have attracted the attention of humans. Many legends and fairy tales, poems, songs and fables have been written about them. And in modern world swans represent a symbol of fidelity and eternal love.
Description of the breed
In the description of the external parameters of the whooper, there are no unusual signs that would distinguish it from the generally accepted understanding of the appearance of birds of this breed. But still there are characteristic features of the whooper breed.
First, these are body measurements:
- the mass of birds can reach from 7.5 to 15 kilograms;
- body length varies from 140 to 175 centimeters;
- the wings fit snugly to the body, the wingspan is from 265 to 280 cm;
- the neck is very long and straight;
- the beak reaches 10-12 centimeters in length, painted in a bright lemon color with a black tip;
- larger than the swans of the "small" breed, but slightly inferior to the mute swan.
As for the coloring of whoopers, it is immediately worth noting that they have snow-white adult plumage only by the age of 3, just when puberty occurs. Before this age, swans have a light gray plumage, and the color of the feathers on the head is always somewhat darker than on the back.
The places where the whooper swan lives are represented by the Scandinavian Peninsula, Scotland and Sakhalin. They can also be seen in the northern part of the Caspian Sea, Mongolia and Japan, and the whooper swan lives on the banks of water bodies in the Perm Territory and on large lakes in Chukotka.
This is a migratory breed of swans, therefore, with the onset of the winter period, they fly to warmer climes to the Mediterranean Sea, as well as to the middle southern part of Asia. Whooper flight can be very long.
If necessary, birds descend to the surface of the water surface of large reservoirs, where they rest and gain strength to complete their flight.
At the end of winter, the birds again return to their former habitats of whoopers, after which mating dances begin. Young chicks initially fly in the same flock with their parents, and after reaching puberty they fight off them, create their own family and flock.
Breeding
Whooper swans have an average life expectancy of 9-10 years, and puberty, as noted above, occurs at 3 years. They begin to arrange mating games from the end of the winter period.
Males begin to give a loud trumpet voice and attract the attention of females with amazing mating dances. Having flown to their usual habitat, whoopers break into pairs and begin to arrange nests for further laying eggs and hatching chicks.
To be a little more precise, the female usually equips the nest, and the male is nearby. Despite the fact that the parameters of the swan nest are quite impressive and range from one to three meters in diameter and up to 74-80 centimeters in depth, they are very rarely found, since these individuals are very shy and see danger in everything. Therefore, for nesting, they choose the most secluded and remote places.
For one clutch, the female produces up to 7 eggs and incubates them herself. The male constantly guards her and, when danger approaches, makes a loud cry.
Having heard the call of the male, the female covers the eggs with fluff and dry twigs, and the couple immediately hides. After the danger has passed, the swans return to the nest.
The female immediately begins to turn the eggs, after which she continues to incubate.
The whole process from laying eggs to the appearance of chicks takes 36-40 days. There are babies with a gray fluff on the body. Swan couples take a very responsible approach to the process of raising and feeding chicks, which grow and develop quite quickly. Therefore, already from the first week of life, the chicks feed on their own, and by the age of 3 month old leave the nest, but do not stray far from their parents.
Whooper swan is migratory bird quite large, so they spend most of their lives on the water. From the outside, it seems that the birds are rather slow and clumsy, but when danger approaches, the swans very quickly begin to move through the water until they take off, so even by boat it is not always possible to catch up with them.
Currently, many large farmers breed these individuals on their plots as a decorative ornament. In order to keep swans, it is necessary that there must be a small lake or an artificial reservoir on the territory; in case of violation of these requirements, the swans will not be able to live for a long time on personal plot and leave it at the slightest opportunity.
Feeding
In the wild, the whooper swan feeds mainly on plant foods, and only about 18-20% of the daily diet consists of animal products in the form of:
- worms;
- insects;
- other species of invertebrates of the smallest sizes.
The same principle of feeding should be present when feeding swans at home. The daily diet of swans should contain such crops as:
- peas;
- wheat;
- millet;
- potato;
- carrot.
The listed ingredients contain such useful substances as niacin, sulfates, chlorides, carotene, tocopherol and other useful components necessary for optimal growth and development of swans.
The daily diet of these birds at home should look something like this:
- in the morning - chopped root crops (230 g per individual) with plenty of water, as well as herbs (500 g per individual) and cereals (250 g), bone meal - 20 grams;
- at lunch - wet mixed fodder and throughout the day walking on the street near a reservoir with free access to eating grass;
- before sunset, everything is recommended the same as for breakfast.
It is also worth noting that despite the fact that these birds spend most of the day on a reservoir or lake, they need to regularly fill the drinkers in the aviary, on the shore of the reservoir and in the room with water.
Whooper swan is one of the largest and most beautiful birds living in Russia. It is not so easy to see it in its natural habitat: swans are cautious and prefer to nest in quiet and peaceful places, away from human dwellings. In some regions, it is endangered due to the reduction of its habitat. It will be included in the Red Book of many countries.
The whooper swan is a representative of the family of ducks and the order of anseriformes. In total, the detachment has seven species of swans:
- whooper,
- mute,
- Trumpeter,
- Small,
- American,
- Black,
- Black-necked.
The whooper swan differs from its closest relative the mute in its more modest, but still impressive size for a bird. The body length of an adult can reach 180 cm, and the wingspan can reach 280 cm. Body weight adult female from 7 to 10 kg. The male weighs more - from 12 to 16 kg.
Birds have a long neck, but without a characteristic bend, a dense and strong body, and relatively short legs.
In adult birds, the feather is snow-white, and young ones are most often gray, white-gray, gray-brown. Adult molting occurs only at the age of three.
Nutrition
Birds feed on food of both plant and animal origin. But their entire diet is inextricably linked with water and consists of:
- aquatic plants,
- algae,
- duckweed,
- small invertebrates,
- fry fish,
- shellfish,
- crustaceans,
- Insects and their larvae.
It is very rare to see a whooper swan that nibbles grass near a pond, as other members of the order do.
Only during flights can whoopers land on the ground far from lakes and rivers, and feast on worms, cereals, seeds, roots and berries. The explanation is simple - during migration, swans need more protein-rich food.
Habitat
Whoopers winter in warm regions: on the Mediterranean coast, in China and Korea, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan (coastal Caspian regions). Some populations living on the shores of the Baltic Sea sometimes stay for the winter, and rise to fledge only in case of a very cold and snowy winter.
The nesting range of birds is quite extensive: from Scotland and Scandinavia to Sakhalin. More southerly populations live in Astrakhan region and Altai Territory, in Mongolia, the northern provinces of Japan, Switzerland, Austria. Much less often, whoopers can be found in the Central regions of Russia, Siberia, in the countries of Southern and Central Europe.
Lifestyle
Birds return to nesting sites in pairs in early spring. In mid-March, they already begin to equip nests, and by April they lay their first eggs. Whooper swans form strong family pairs and prefer the same nesting site for many years. Birds settle along the banks of calm and quiet rivers and lakes, bays and estuaries. Wetlands are rarely chosen.
They prefer to stay in open water and not come close to the shore: if possible, they will even build a nest on a small bump far from the shore.
Swans are very territorial birds. They carefully protect their territory not only from relatives, but also from other birds and mammals. It is not uncommon for a couple of birds to kill careless ducks, crows and ravens, wild pigeons, birds of prey, as well as mice, rats, muskrats and even snakes that are dangerously close to the nest or chicks.
origin of name
They began to call the swan a whooper for their peculiar and very characteristic sonorous, trumpet sounds. Most often, birds give voice in the spring, during the mating season, during flights, and also in case of danger. Sounds differ in their volume, duration and type. To communicate with babies, birds prefer a quiet click, in case of irritation they make a sound more like a loud snake hiss, and in normal situations they make a multiple “click”, sometimes heard for many kilometers.
swans protection
Whoopers belong to specially protected species and are listed in the International Red Book of many countries. The number of the species is constantly declining due to human development of the lands on which the whooper nests, as well as due to pollution of coastal waters.
However, in some regions of our country, it was possible not only to completely restore, but also to increase the population of this beautiful bird.
So in 2007, the whooper was excluded from the Red Book of Karelia - the work to preserve the species turned out to be more than successful. But hunting for whoopers is under the strictest ban even today. Particularly large populations on the territory of the Karelian Republic are noted on the coast White Sea and Lake Onega. In other regions, the situation is more sad. IN Perm region there are only a few places where whoopers nest. And in recent years, only two pairs of birds have returned to the nesting site. IN Altai Territory about 300 pairs nest every year, although earlier the number of individuals returning to their nesting places exceeded several thousand.
Differences from other types
Very often, whoopers are confused with close relatives - small swans and mute. The description of birds is very similar, but there are many differences. The whooper swan differs from the mute in the absence of a clearly visible cone at the base of the beak, as well as in the straight neck. It can also be distinguished from a mute by a shorter tail, straight wings tightly pressed to the body. Small whooper swan is distinguished by larger sizes. Whooper beak color is predominantly yellow rather than black. 
Facts, legends and myths about whoopers
Swans are one of the few birds with which so many myths and legends are associated. However, in addition to myths, there are many very real and interesting facts.
National symbol of the state
If about swan fidelity many people know, then not everyone will answer the question: the national symbol of which country is the swan. The bird occupies an honorary position in our neighboring state - Finland. It is there that the whooper is not only a national symbol - in the country there is a real cult of this snow-white bird. Despite the fact that the population of birds is constantly increasing, hunting for them is strictly prohibited. The word Jousten (translated as a swan) in the country named a lot of companies, and the sign depicting this bird is a sign of quality and products made only from environmentally friendly Finnish raw materials. Even the one euro coin in Finland features a pair of whoopers. In many parts of the country, every year in the spring a holiday is celebrated - the return of birds to their nesting sites.
The image of a swan in myths and legends
In Russia, whoopers also have a special attitude. So among the Yakuts, swans are totem animals, and the Ainu people have a belief that people descended from a pair of whoopers. The image of a snow-white whooper can be traced in many fairy tales. In some, the birds are in the service of negative characters, while in others they personify the forces of good. In wedding folklore, the image of a swan is always associated with love and fidelity. That is why only at the wedding and only the newlyweds were allowed to eat fried swans.
The ancient Greeks did not disregard the beautiful white birds. The Milky Way in ancient Greece was called the Swan Road. During the spring migration, the direction of the flight of swans flocks completely coincided with the location in the sky of the Milky Way. The Greeks also gave the name Cygnus to one of the constellations of the Northern Hemisphere. The arrangement of the stars resembles in shape the silhouette of a flying swan.
The whooper swan is a beautiful proud bird that differs from its relatives in many characteristics. It is able to transform any suburban area, therefore it is actively bred by bird lovers. But only those who study the specific features and principles of keeping the breed can become the happy owner of such an individual. After all, the whooper swan is included in the Red Book and is carefully guarded.
Whooper is a frequent guest in hundreds of old poems, legends and fairy tales. Now he is considered the embodiment of love and purity. And several other interesting facts are connected with the breed, for example:
Now many large farmers are turning their attention to these stately strong birds. Usually, whoopers are planted as a decoration for a summer cottage. To keep such swans, it is imperative to equip a small lake or a decorative reservoir. Otherwise, the birds will not be able to live permanently on land and will fly away from the owner at the slightest opportunity.
Breed characteristics
The whooper is larger than most of its relatives. You can distinguish a representative of the breed from the rest of the swans by the following features:
Representatives of the breed are very large, so they do not like to walk. They move slowly, usually prefer to be in the water. Before takeoff, they sort out their paws for a long time. They rise into the air only after they gain a good speed.
Important! Whoopers acquire their snow-white color only when they reach the age of three. In young individuals, the plumage has a grayish tint. At the same time, the feathers on the head are a little dark, and on the body they brighten.
Where do whoopers live?
The breed actively breeds in Scandinavia, Chukotka, Scotland and Sakhalin. Often, representatives were seen on the shores of the Ladoga and Caspian Seas, in the north of Japan and in Mongolia.
Whoopers are migratory birds, therefore, with the onset of cold weather, they migrate to the Mediterranean Sea or to Southeast Asia. But there are also such happy individuals who do not have to fly from country to country. They are:
- in Scandinavia;
- on the coast of the Baltic and White Seas;
- near ice-free water bodies in Asia and Europe.
For permanent habitation, birds find open water bodies, the banks of which are abundantly strewn with vegetation. Whoopers also often appear by the sea or near forest lakes. However, near human habitation, they rarely build nests of their own free will.
Whooper habits and features
Whooper is so nicknamed for the loud sound that he makes when flying. It is often compared to a pipe. The habits of a swan can be formulated as follows:
On the water, whoopers hold majestically, swim proudly and calmly. The neck is straightened, the wings are pressed to the sides. For autumn migration they unite in small flocks of up to 10 birds. They fly day and night, occasionally resting on open water.
Interesting! In Primorye and Eastern Siberia, it is not uncommon to see schools of migratory swans flying in a wedge. At night, their cries, similar to trumpet sounds, are very clearly audible.
Whooper Swans and the Red Book
Whoopers build nests in places remote from humans. IN Lately there are fewer and fewer such unennobled regions, so the number of representatives of the breed is slowly declining.
Now this species is considered rare. It was included in the Red Book and subjected to careful protection, so hunting for whoopers is strictly prohibited. However, in Europe this fact was taken more seriously than in other habitats. There are actively taking measures to preserve the population and maintain places for their residence.
How do whoopers breed?
Whoopers fly from March to May from their winter rest to their permanent habitat. After that, they again break into pairs and begin to prepare for the appearance of the cubs. The whole process is shown in the table below.
Table 1. Preparation for breeding and incubation of small whoopers
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Return from winter | Whoopers are monogamous birds. The couple is organized until the end of their lives, they fly away for the winter together. After returning, the wedge again breaks into pairs, and they begin to look for a place for nesting. |
| Finding a place | If possible, birds stay near large bodies of water away from human eyes. It is important that the coast is covered with dense vegetation so as not to travel in search of food. Quite often, whooper nests appear in dense forests or on sea coasts in reed beds. A pair can make a nest even in the reservoir itself at a shallow depth. It is built so that the bottom rests on the ground under water. |
| Building a nest | The nest is mostly built by the female, but the male often helps her. The future house is being built from withering grass. Swan nests are large - for example, the diameter can reach 1-3 m, and the height is 0.5-0.8 m. From the inside, the female covers the nest with dry moss and her own fluff. |
| egg laying | Shortly after creating the nest, the lady lays her eggs. In one clutch, as a rule, from 3 to 7 large yellowish eggs. If the first batch is not preserved due to something, the couple creates a second one, but with a smaller volume of eggs. The female is incubating the eggs. The male is constantly nearby. He protects his lady from danger and monitors her condition. |
| hatching chicks | The time of appearance of chicks depends on the region in which the couple lives. So, in the northern regions they hatch at the beginning of July, and in the southern regions - by the 3rd decade of May. On average, chicks appear 36-37 days after laying. The cubs look absolutely defenseless, their bodies are covered with gray fluff, their beak is also gray. |
| Raising and protecting cubs | Both parents immediately take responsibility for the kids. When danger appears, the cubs are taken to dense thickets, while the swans themselves fly away. They return after everything calms down to return the chicks to the nest. |
| Self-reliance training | The chicks will soon be able to get their own food, and after 3 months they are able to take off. However, they stay with their parents all winter. The kids go with their parents for the winter, where they learn the intricacies of the flight and remember the route. |
A pair of swans carefully guards their territory. Strangers are not allowed there under any pretext, the birds will fight back to the last from anyone who encroaches on their possessions. Usually the nest is hidden in abundant thickets of reeds or reeds, so spotting swan houses is not as easy as it seems.
Important! Predator birds and small rodents do not prey on whoopers, as they are significantly inferior to them in size. The danger comes from raccoons, wolves and foxes that attack adult swans and can destroy their nests.
What does the whooper swan eat?
In the wild, whoopers mainly eat plant foods. Only 20th of the daily diet comes from animal products, for example:
- bugs;
- earthworms;
- other microscopic invertebrates.
Farmers must adhere to the same rule when organizing feeding in the household plot. So, in the daily diet of whoopers should be present:
- wheat, millet;
- onions, carrots and potatoes;
- peas.
These cultures contain many useful substances, including sulfates, chlorides, carotene, niacin. They make the development of swans complete and provoke their active growth.
An approximate daily ration of poultry inhabitants of the subsidiary farm is presented in the table below.
Table 2. Whooper swan daily diet of three meals
Important! Despite the fact that swans spend most of their time on the water surface, they need to equip a drinking bowl with a clean drinking water. Such containers should be located in the place of residence and where the birds regularly walk. You can read about how to make a drinking bowl with your own hands in.
Other species from the family
Whooper swan belongs to the duck family, which is represented by many species. The table below shows only the most common of them.
Table 3. Other species from the family of ducks
| Breed | Description |
|---|---|
 | This is a small duck with chestnut-red feathers and the following characteristics: The head is extended forward, like a pear; The female looks the same as the male, but the color of her feathers is closer to brown. |
 | A representative of the breed is recognized by the following features: The unusual shape of the beak, sharply expanding towards the base; Savka is very cautious by nature. She can completely go under water or leave only her head above the surface if she senses danger on land. |
 | Slightly inferior in parameters to the gray goose. The feathers are brownish, the head and continuation are darker than the rest of the body. The beak is black with an orange stripe. Representatives of this breed live in the tundra and forest-tundra, on the shores of forest lakes and swamps. They winter on sea coasts and in river valleys. A very cautious breed, like most other geese. Birds live in flocks, they get food in the dark. |
 | The representatives clearly show sexual dimorphism, because the male and female look completely different: 1) Male. The neck and head are reddish-brown, the chest is dark, the back is light with dark streaks-patterns. Birds are not decorated with a white stripe on the wing, like representatives similar species. But on additional flight feathers there are light areas. |
Mallard  | The most popular duck in Russia, which became the progenitor of many other domesticated species. There are also very noticeable differences between males and females: 1) Male. The neck and head have an emerald color with a metallic sheen. On the neck there is a narrow light collar, the chest is brown closer to a reddish tint. Both have a violet-blue “glass” on the wing that shimmers in the sun. It has a white stripe on both sides. The females of this species are very resourceful. The bird tends to pretend to be wounded in order to lead strangers away from the nest with cubs. |
 | Representatives of the breed are large, have an unusual beak shape and strongly pronounced differences between the sexes: 1) Male. The head and continuation are black with a greenish tint. The lower half of the body is light with a pink bloom. In the process of mating games, a man presses his neck to his back or lifts it up, the field of which begins to squeak plaintively. |
 | Feathers are very massive breeds, feathers are white, beak is yellow-orange. At the junction of the beak with the head there is a large fleshy outgrowth of a dark color. Females and males do not differ from each other. Juveniles have greyish-brown feathers and a gray beak. Shipun is a real defender of the territory. Attacks strangers without hesitation. At the same time, it raises its wings over its back and hisses loudly. |
 | A duck that feeds on the sea or river bottom. It is distinguished by a short beak and wings without a characteristic white stripe. The differences between the sexes are very noticeable and depend on the time of year: 1) The male has a dark brown head, back and chest in spring. The belly and sides are white. By winter, the head and its continuation turn white, on one side a dark spot appears under the eye. The male makes deafening nasal sounds that are similar to the cackling of a goose. Able to go deep for food to the bottom up to 50 m and stay there for a minute. |
Video - Whooper Swans
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