Mute Swan

Description:

At the Ralph Mitchell Zoo there's a pond with several species of waterfowl, notably three beautiful (but mean) mute swans. This one was the one that got close enough to me so its the one who got its picture taken. The name "mute" derives from it being less vocal than other swan species, such as the trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator). This is unfortunate as the low hiss hardly keys you in that you're about to be attacked.

Habitat:

It is native to much of Europe and Asia, and (as a rare winter visitor) the far north of Africa. It is also an introduced species in North America, Australasia and southern Africa.