Birds4Kids.blogspot.com : Swans

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NATURAL WORLD : BIRDS - SWANS






Swans are among the largest of flying birds and live near the water, building untidy nests on the banks, Males called cobs are heavier than the females who are called pens. A  baby swan is called a cygnet. Black or white, they have many layers of feathers and a wingspan of about 10 ft. Their webbed feet are black which they use to  paddle fast underneath while they seem to be floating on the water. There are several species like Trumpeter swans, Cygnus swans and Mute swans. Black swans are found around Australia and New Zealand while white swans are more common in other areas north of the equator.

Let me tell you an interesting fact here...

Swans that live in the Northern Hemisphere (above the equator) have white feathers or plumage while those that live in the Southern Hemisphere (below the equator) have black and white feathers.

Swans feed on aquatic plants, grains and insects. Their long necks help to dip deep into the water to snap off stems, roots and leaves. The sides of their bills are jagged to help them catch fish in the water. They keep their wings tightly folded while they feed.


If you are anywhere near them, you can hear their loud calls that include trumpet like honks, hisses and gurgles. Mating usually starts when they are 4 or 5 years old and they can live up to 20-30 years. They usually mate for life but if one of the pair dies, a female swan may live with a younger male. Large groups of swans live together in ponds and lakes.

Let's talk about them......

SWANS

1. Swans are large aquatic birds.

2. They have many layers of white or black feathers.

3. The beak is black and orange in colour.

4. They feed on plants, seeds and insects.

5.  A baby swan is called cygnet.

6. The Ugly Duckling is a famous story on swans. 

Public Speaking

Note for educators and parents : Describe and explain with the help of information given on this page. Help the child memorize these lines and speak in front of a camera with actions.  Young Learners may post their videos and comments here.

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