What do they eat?!
The Mute Swan eats many different
kinds of organisms. They mainly eat aquatic plant material such
a
green algae and other aquatic plants and grasses. They
also eat insects, minnows, freshwater shrimp,
snails and other small aquatic creatures. An adult swan eats
about 4kg of aquatic vegetation or creatures every day. It
reaches
these
underwater plants by plunging its long neck into the water and
tail in the air. The swans gizzard, or second stomach, aids in
the digestion of these organisms.
Swans in parks and zoos often eat
differently than those in the wild. Many of these birds
are fed by humans. These swans are usually given bread –
not moldy though, because this is poisonous to them! Other
popular items that they can be fed are
corn and lettuce.
Click next to learn about the Reproduction and Nesting
of the Mute Swan!!