Swan Flowery Heart

The swans (Cygnus) are a genus of ducks (Anatidae). Within this family they are classified as geese (Anserinae). Swans are the largest of all duck birds. Because of the pure white plumage of the European species (formerly Latin Cygnus albus "White Swan") and impressive size, they have entered into numerous myths and fairy tales.

The genus Cygnus comprises six or seven species, depending on the taxonomic view (the status of the Lesser White Swan Cygnus bewickii, which many ornithologists regard as a subspecies of the Whistling Swan, is disputed), four of which have a high northern range: They breed in the Arctic tundra and migrate to the temperate zone in winter. The Mute Swan is now distributed worldwide in temperate zones, but had its origin in the Palearctic.

Two species originate from the southern hemisphere: the Mourning Swan from Australia and the Black-necked Swan from South America. Another species, the New Zealand swan, was wiped out as early as the 16th or 17th century. The Koskoroba swan, also called a swan but belonging to a different genus, also lives in South America. The swans' habitat is swamps, shallow lakes and slow-flowing rivers. The bottom must always be accessible by digging, so waters that are too deep are unsuitable for swans.