River and Swans

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Swans on river (right-hand panel)

Mike Gee

These noble birds can be seen on the river and water meadows of Chilbolton. Designated a Royal bird for centuries, swans are unusual in the animal kingdom in that they are all white. This may be because their whiteness makes them look bigger to deter potential attackers. Swans are also unusual in that they mate for life. Both cob and pen nurture the fluffy brown cygnets, often carrying them on their backs to safe feeding grounds. Cygnets remain with their parents until the cob chases them away in the new breeding season. All birds shed their feathers in a moulting process that takes place in sequence, a few feathers at a time, enabling them to retain flying ability. Swans differ in that they shed all their flight feathers at the same time and become flightless for a short period until new ones have grown.