University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Zea E-Books Zea E-Books 2-25-2016 Swans: Their iologB y and Natural History Paul A. Johnsgard University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
[email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/zeabook Part of the Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Ornithology Commons, Other Life Sciences Commons, Population Biology Commons, Poultry or Avian Science Commons, and the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons Recommended Citation Johnsgard, Paul A., "Swans: Their ioB logy and Natural History" (2016). Zea E-Books. Book 38. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/zeabook/38 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Zea E-Books at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Zea E-Books by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Paul Johnsgard Swans: Their Biology and Natural History The seven species of swans of the world are an easily and universally recognized group of waterfowl, which have histori- cally played important roles in the folklore, myths and legends in many of the world’s cultures. Among the largest of all flying birds, they have also almost universally been used as symbols of royalty, grace and beauty, and largely for these rea- sons swans have only rarely been considered acceptable as targets for sport hunting. Swans occur on all the continents except Africa, although most species are associated with the temperate and arctic zones of North America and Eurasia. Among birds, swans are relatively long-lived species, and are also among the most strongly monogamous, having pro- longed pair and family bonds that strongly influence their flocking and social behavior, and contribute to the overall high degree of human interest in them.