Swans

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Swans

Swans, genus Cygnus, are birds of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and ducks. Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae where they form the tribe Cygnini. The Northern Hemisphere species of swan have pure white plumage but the Southern Hemisphere species are mixed black and white. Swan species are Cygnus olor (mute swan), Cygnus atratus (black swan), Cygnus melancoryphus (black-necked swan), Cygnus cygnus (whooper swan), Cygnus buccinator (trumpeter swan), Cygnus columbianus (tundra swan), Cygnus bewickii (Bewick's swan).
The swans are the largest members of the waterfowl family Anatidae, and are among the largest flying birds. The largest species, including the mute swan, trumpeter swan, and whooper swan, can reach length of over 1.5 m (60 inches) and weigh over 15 kg (33 pounds). Their wingspans can be almost 3 m (10 ft).