Mute Swan with Cygnets
Photograph of adult Mute Swan with cygnets in a nest surrounded by water. The adult is standing guard over the young cygnets. Four cygnets are visable in the nest.
Mute Swan with Cygnets
Mute Swan with Cygnets
Photograph of adult Mute Swan with cygnets in a nest surrounded by water. The adult is standing guard over the young cygnets. Four cygnets are visable in the nest.
Eala Bhalbh
This beautiful bird can be found all around Ireland. Its feathers are all white. It has an orange beak with black edges.
Its long, curved neck makes the mute swan very beautiful. It has wide feet help it to move quickly in the water.
The mute swam lives on rivers and lakes. The male helps the female build the nest. The nest is built at the edge of the lake or river. The tall grasses at the edge of the water make the nest easier to protect. They build the nest from reeds, sticks and plant parts.
You might think that the mute swan doesn't make any noise. This isn't true at all! This swan can make lots of loud hissing noise when it's in danger.
Be careful if you see mute swans. They can get angry if you go too close. Its much safer to look at them from a distance!
Do you know what a young mute swan is called?
It's called a 'cygnet'.