For the last 3 days I have been watching a black swan swimming about 2 metres behind a white swan on the same stretch of Thames. All seems quite calm, there does not seem to be any 'aggravation' between them. Would a white swan mate with a black one so could this be pre-mating ritual?
ladyp
Although it does not happen that often, a pairing between the Australian black swan and our native mute swan has been recorded before. Without seeing how these birds are interacting, I cannot really comment on whether they would be mates or not. I have to say that I hope not. While both species are nice in their own right, people who have seen the offspring from their cross, tell me that it is ugly and extremely bad tempered.
Thank you - I will try to keep a beady eye on them!