Swans are larger than geese and are recognizable by their long, arched necks.
Noted for their graceful movements in the water, they have been the subject of many poems, fairy tales, legends, and musical compositions. Swans may live up to 35 years, and they pair for life. Adult mute swans are pure white, with reddish bills. The bill has a black tip and is surmounted by a black knob at the base of the upper mandible. The young, called cygnets, are pale gray in color and have a lead-colored bill.