Mute swan

The mute swan seen here in a nature preserve in the Netherlands is the quintessential swan species of popular imagination. Despite their name, mute swans are not silent, although they are less vocal than other swan species. Mute swans are native to Europe and are an introduced species to North America, though they can be found in smaller numbers elsewhere, such as Australia, Asia and Africa. As they are non-migratory birds, mute swan pairs usually remain on the same breeding ground year-round unless they are forced to relocate due to challenging conditions.
© David Pattyn/Minden Pictures