Notes:
a large and aggressive swan that usually swims with its neck gracefully curved (rather than held straight); the red bill with a black knob at its base further helps to diagnose this species from other swans; native to Eurasia but widely introduced elsewhere into parks and urban gardens; despite its name, this species has a twangy trumpeting note and also hisses or snorts when annoyed.
adult pair; note the orange bill, black face (Northern Ireland; 2008-09-18)
juveniles; much browner overall (Northern Ireland; 2008-09-18)
no sexual dimorphism (Northern Ireland; 2008-09-18)
pair in natural habitat (Luxembourg; 2007-10-16)
body portrait (Luxembourg; 2007-10-16)
head portrait; note black knob at bill base (Northern Ireland; 2008-09-18)
swimming portrait (Poland; 2012-06-01)
frontal view while swimming (Poland; 2012-06-01)
flock flying in formation (Poland; 2012-06-01)
cygnets (Poland; 2012-06-01)
posing with gracefully curved neck(Poland; 2012-06-01)