There are two ponds across from where I live. Early in the morning, at least one of the resident swans grazes on the grass.
This is my entry to the #SMaP Show Me A Photo Contest Round 160, theme 'male' birds.
The male swan is called a 'cob' and are usually larger than the female (pen), with a longer neck and a flatter head and usually the knob or berry at the base of their beak is usually bigger in males. However, it can get bigger the older a swan gets and also when it gets to breeding season in both male and female swans. It can get even more complicated, as an older female swan can have a bigger knob/berry than her younger toy boy. Source
Swans don't have teeth but have a serrated edge in their beaks. This is the reason I don't get too close as believe me, if they catch you with their beaks it comes keen.
I was spotted at one point, so I dropped a few swan pellets on the floor. Swans can be aggressive, but this one is used to people walking around the ponds. As long as you have food, there are usually no issues. I left him to it in the end and went off to feed the other birds.
On another day, there was a teal, but his woman wouldn't get out of the photo. 🙂 The drake had a lovely bright chestnut head with a dark green stripe. Very handsome!
Thank you to ,
,
,
and all of the #featheredfriends team for the contest.