115 : Mute Swan

Mute Swan - Cygnus olor

Its a tie up between these and the Great Bustard as to which is the world's heaviest flying bird. They are bruisers. I have to say that when in a  canoe with an enraged swan nearby retreat might be the respectable course. A big cob with his wings outstretched and a fully loaded neck and bill is not to be messed with.

Or is that urban legend. I just wrote that - I have been hissed at a bit ? Yeah - a swan can break a man's legs or arms ? Every schoolboy knows this. Can they or am I making that up ? Hysteria or fact ?

I thought I would do some research. Er.... I think its verified that they get a bit antzy at this time of year . I couldn't find an actual arm or broken leg and my lunchtime surfing time is up. Anyway a quick trawl turned up ...

Swan attacks keeper who is drowned :-

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/17/tagblogsfindlawcom2012-injured-idUS408922419820120417

Swan attacks bride :-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPihMK_XZNw

Swan attacks man who defends himself with bike :-

http://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/9635113.Investigation_after_series_of_Skipton_swan_attacks/

Swan attacks canoes (again and again):-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2121505/Meet-Tyson-terrifying-swan-attacks-boaters-dare-venture-stretch-canal.html

Swan attacks...swan attacks...

A few more agressive birds wouldn't be such a bad thing. An Osprey that pecked the eyes out of egg thiefs. Amazonian giant parrots that overturn logging trucks. Massive ducks that carry off offseason wildfowlers and drown them in the ocean. Lets have few more bird hysteria stories and link it to enviromental baddies. Boy dumping trolley in canel get arm broken by enraged swan in NW1 - good ! Round of applause. Serves the little tyke right. Its been boy vs swan since time began.

Mute Swan, Cygnus olor
Barn Elms, London
April 2012