Mute Swans are not really mute. The adults make a hoarse hissing or snorting sound while their babies, called cygnets, produce a soft whistle or a high-pitched peep when in distress. Mute Swans are not native to North America, but rather to Europe and Asia. They were brought in from Europe in the 1800’s to grace city parks and large estates. Ones that were either released or escaped, adapted and bred in the wild. These feral birds can be found primarily in the northeastern United States, in the Great Lakes area, and in the Pacific Northwest. This photo was taken in eastern Massachusetts.
Mute Swans are not really mute.
