Swans (Cygnus) belong to the families of ducks and geese. They are represented by seven species worldwide - and one of them is the mute swan.
Mute swans prefer to live on lakes, park and fish ponds, in shallow sea bays and, in winter, on open river courses. Incidentally, the black hump at the base of their beak gives them their name. With a weight of up to 14 kg, a body length of 160 cm and a wingspan of up to 240 cm, they are the largest birds capable of flying.
A typical feature is the often S-shaped neck. During the breeding season, the imposing posture can often be observed: The neck is strongly bent back, the beak is lowered and the wings are lifted like sails.
Swans feed on aquatic plants and the small animals in them, foraging in 70 to 90 cm of water. But grass and grain on land are also part of their food.
The nest is built from aquatic plants, grasses and twigs, in which four to six eggs are usually incubated for around 40 days. The female does this alone, after which both parents are responsible for the young birds. Those are occasionally transported on their backs.

The chicks' dark plumage is initially silver-grey, not white. Young birds that are not yet fully grown have dull gray-brown plumage, which becomes increasingly lighter in the course of their first year of life. The brown feathers are gradually lost. The young swans only have completely white plumage after the full moult in their second year of life.

The photo shows the offered chick swan at left next to its adult swan (Kö-F7710).

Size: L 19 cm x B 10 cm x H 12 cm (~ L 7.4" x 4" x D 4.7")
Colour: Silver-grey
Material: Faux fur, Alcantara (for the beak)
Filling: Polyester fibre
Manufacturer: Kösener Spielzeug Manufaktur, Germany

The proceeds of this sale will be donated to a children's charity organisation.