Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • Australia
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Bing Gallery
  2. Australia
  3. 2022
  4. October 23
  5. Mute swan, Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, Valkenswaard, the Netherlands
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios Mute swan, Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, Valkenswaard, the Netherlands

October 23, 2022

Mute swan, Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, Valkenswaard, the Netherlands

© David Pattyn/Minden Picture

Mute swan

The mute swan seen here in a nature preserve in the Netherlands is the quintessential swan species of popular imagination. Despite their name, mute swans are not silent, although they are less vocal than other swan species. Mute swans are native to Europe and are an introduced species to North America, though they can be found in smaller numbers elsewhere, such as Australia, Asia and Africa. As they are non-migratory birds, mute swan pairs usually remain on the same breeding ground year-round unless they are forced to relocate due to challenging conditions.

Young swans are called cygnets and look very different than the adults they will become. Cygnets have dull grey down and dark bills. At about a year old, their feathers turn white and their bills orange. The transformation is part of the premise of the famous fairy tale “The Ugly Duckling”, about a forlorn duckling who discovers he is actually a swan. Admiring the swan featured in today's image, it is difficult to imagine it wasn’t always as regal.

animal bird duck goose water outdoor aquatic bird swan lake water bird waterfowl pond geese and swans ducks

Related Images

North American beaver, Moran, Wyoming, United StatesNorth American beaver, Moran, Wyoming, United States
Wood duck, Quebec, CanadaWood duck, Quebec, Canada
Greater flamingos at Pont de Gau Ornithological Park, Camargue, FranceGreater flamingos at Pont de Gau Ornithological Park, Camargue, France
A duckling swimming in a water meadow, Suffolk, EnglandA duckling swimming in a water meadow, Suffolk, England
Red-crowned crane bowing to his mate in Hokkaido, JapanRed-crowned crane bowing to his mate in Hokkaido, Japan
Whooper swans in Lake Kussharo, JapanWhooper swans in Lake Kussharo, Japan
Atlantic puffin, IcelandAtlantic puffin, Iceland
Mandarin duck, Richmond Park, London, UKMandarin duck, Richmond Park, London, UK

Today on Bing

Madame Sherri Forest and the remnant of an old castle, New Hampshire, USA

Madame Sherri Forest and the remnant of an old castle, New Hampshire, USA

Oct 23, 2024
Corn maze in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania

Corn maze in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania

Oct 23, 2023
Eurasian scops owl, Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic

Eurasian scops owl, Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic

Oct 23, 2021
New York City skyline with United Nations headquarters

New York City skyline with United Nations headquarters

Oct 23, 2020
'April Pine: Shifting Horizons' at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, 2018

'April Pine: Shifting Horizons' at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, 2018

Oct 23, 2019

Related Tags

bird duck animal outdoor water lake goose aquatic bird sky nature flock text group swan standing branch dry wood aerie landscape
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.