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Mark Billiau.


Premium (World), region Antwerp, Belgium

The Queen of the Lake

The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world. Adults can weigh over 15 kilograms.

This beautiful and monogamous bird is usually known as lovely and gentle but it can be tremendously aggressive in defence of its nest.
Its size and impressive hissing make it a formidable adversary for animals as large as a fox.

Mute swans even attack people who enter their territory during the breeding season as I could experience myself a couple of years ago.

Dutch name : Knobbelzwaan
German name : Höckerschwan
Latin name : Cygnus olor

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