New Zealand Introduced Animals > Mute (White) Swan

Mute (White) Swan

Cygnus olor

INTRODUCED; UNCOMMON; RESIDENT

DISTRIBUTION: Britain and Europe. Introduced to South Africa, North America, Australia and New Zealand.

HABITAT: Lakes and ponds.

BREEDING: September to November. Once paired they mate for life. Nests are usually well hidden, often in raupo (a tall reed-like swamp plant). The female lays and incubates 3-4 greenish-white eggs for 35 days. Both adults care for the cygnets until they fledge.

FOOD: Aquatic vegetation, invertebrates and occasionally small animals such as fish and tadpoles.

VOICE: Usually silent but will hiss, grunt or give hoarse muted trumpetings.

GENERAL: Originally introduced from Britain in 1866. It is well known as an ornamental bird on ponds in parks, but there are probably less than 50 genuinely wild birds in New Zealand. Most of these are in Canterbury, particularly Lake Ellesmere, and there are a few in Hawke’s Bay. By tradition most swans belong to the Queen.


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