Swans 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. Sometimes, they are considered a distinct subfamily, Cygninae. Swans usually mate for life, though ‘divorce’ does sometimes occur, particularly following nesting failure. The number of eggs in each clutch ranges from three to eight.

Swans are beautiful, white, long necked birds of lake and river shores. Swans are larger than geese and are recognizable by their long, arched necks. They dip head and neck into the water to feed on bottom vegetation, also browsing on shore grasses.

Swans may live up to 35 years, and they mate for life. The young, called cygnets, are pale gray in color and have lead-colored bills.

The largest swan is the trumpeter swan which breeds from Alaska to the Rocky Mountain states.

Swans are a part of the Duck family. A group of swans is called a bevy.
They fly in a V formation or line.

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