Swans more aggressive to own kind, shows study

Swans display more aggression to fellow swans than to other birds, new research shows.

Three species of swan – mute, whooper and Bewick’s – were all most frequently aggressive to their own kind. The findings suggest similar individuals are the greatest competition for food and other resources such as shelter.

The research, by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) and Exeter University, was undertaken to better understand how swan behaviour affects other waterbirds over winter.

Dr Kevin Wood, from the WWT, said: “We know swans have a reputation for aggressiveness but some of us suspected that in reality a lot of the aggression was directed towards other swans.

“Our suspicions were right. It’s valuable to finally have the data to show that.”

The study was carried out by monitoring live-stream webcams on reserves at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre in Gloucestershire and WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre in Dumfries over the past two years.