There may be different kinds of swan, but the one that most often comes to mind is the beautiful and graceful white bird, the Mute Swan. This bird was domesticated early and used for its meat. Now, it is prized for its beauty.
 The swan is often a symbol of love and fidelity because of its monogamous relationship to its mate. The graceful bird carries its neck curved and the wings fluffed rather than flush. Swans are the largest members of the duck family, Anatidae, and among the largest flying birds, but also one of the heaviest and need a good take-off area. To become airborne, they make a lot of commotion and flurry. Likewise, their landing may present less than dignified.
 Swans can live a life span of up to 80 years.
Young swans are known as cygnets, males as cobs and females as pens. Most birds do not generally have teeth, but swans are an exception, having jagged teeth as part of their beaks which they use for catching and eating fish. So, keep a respectable distance to avoid their becoming annoyed and nipping at your person.
(At the Bok Singing Tower Gardens where these images were taken,
one became a bit annoyed with my husband who unintentionally crossed over his path.)
Perhaps Ysanne of Los Angeles put it best when contemplating what bird she would best like to be……”I’d be a swan, because they’re ugly when babies, beautiful when grown, couple up for life, are gnarly when angry, and serene when all’s good. And they don’t do much flying, instead effortlessly gliding on still waters that run deep."
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The black swans are making a noise like a small flute, probably signaling to one another.
I don't want to be a swan....I want to be a tree!!!!