In the park we can often see two swans swimming leisurely in the middle of the lake. If you don't pay attention you might think they are two geese wandering around? This is when some of us wonder why they don't fly away if they are swans.
The swans in the park are also meant to be provided for visitors to see, so they are not easily allowed to fly away. We know that to take off a swan does not just fly, it has to be assisted for some distance and supported by the water and by its feet. So, the park staff caught this characteristic of the swans and deliberately worked on top of the distance of the lake. So, the lake we see is either a small piece or a large lake but separated into small pieces. With such a distance, it is almost impossible for the swans to take off.
People like to describe the swan as pure, not only because of its white, jade-like plumage, but also because of its characteristic loyalty to its mate. Swans are loyal to their mates, each swan is monogamous and 'mate for life', and they are always paired up, whether they are travelling for food or resting. The male swan stands guard while the female lays her eggs, and when she encounters an enemy, she flaps her wings to meet them and fights bravely. Not only do they help each other during the breeding season, but they are also usually found in pairs, and if one dies, the other will live alone for the rest of its life.
The swan is a migratory bird that lives mainly in reedy lakes, reservoirs and ponds. In order to avoid the cold, Mute Swans in Siberia migrate to southern China to overwinter when the climate turns colder, only to return to their homeland in April when the flowers bloom next spring.
During the breeding season, female geese lay eggs and male geese are responsible for guarding them. After the male and female swans take turns to incubate, the young swans will break out of their shells after 35 days. After a few days, they can swim in the water and forage for food with their parents, and when disturbed, they hide under the wings of their parents. After 6 months of age, they will have the same size and weight as adult swans.
Swans are omnivores. They feed on roots, stems, leaves and seeds of aquatic plants, as well as molluscs, insects and earthworms. They have a docile temperament and move in flocks. Active during the day. Good flyer and swimmer, can also walk on the ground. In flight, the head reaches forward and the feet reach behind the abdomen. Swans do not have a fixed home except during breeding season and often choose safe areas on the lake, bending their necks and drifting along with the water with their heads in their wings.