Swans, ducks and geese
The term ‘waterfowl’ refers to birds which are strong swimmers with waterproof feathers and webbed feet.
As the name suggests, waterfowl spend a lot of their time on the water, living on ponds, lochs and rivers. Swans, ducks and geese build their nests on the banks and their diet is make up of foods from in and around the water such as small fish, vegetation, insects and molluscs.
Many country parks and nature reserves around Scotland are home to waterfowl.
Swans
Swans are the largest of the group and can be easily identified by their white feathers and long necks.
Mute swans are the only species who reside in Scotland all year round. Although they don’t usually migrate, they may move location if the food supply is scarce.
Whooper swans migrate from Iceland to spend the winter here. They look very similar but the two species can be told apart by their bills; mute swans have an orange bill with a black bump at the base whereas whooper swans have a yellow beak with a black V-shape on either side.
Although it’s very rare to see a Bewick’s swan in Scotland, some have been lucky enough to spot the birds around the Firth of Forth estuary.
That's wild
Ancient Greek philosophers, Aristotle, Plato and Socrates all believed that swans’ singing voices were most beautiful right before they died, coining the term ‘swan song’, meaning final performance.
Where do swans live?
Swans live in and around shallow bodies of water such as ponds, lochs and rivers anywhere from urban parks to countryside reserves.
What do swans eat?
Their long, slim necks help them forage for vegetation and molluscs from the bottom of the loch or riverbed. They can also eat insects, small fish, frogs and worms.
Their natural diet is usually in plentiful enough supply to allow them to thrive on their own but in freezing weather conditions, they can benefit from supported feeding.
Too much bread can cause dietary problems but If you want to feed the local swans, you can throw fresh grains and greens such as lettuce into the water for them.
When are baby swans born?
A pair of bonded swans will generally mate for life, using the same nest site for their entire lives.
They build large nests close to the water’s edge, using materials like twigs and long grasses.
After breeding in the spring, the female lays an egg every other day, laying around five to 12 eggs in total.
The parents take it in turns to incubate the eggs. The female plucks the feathers from her underside to line the nest. This bald area, known as a ‘brood patch’, allows the eggs to sit closer to her body to keep them warm during incubation and is usually nothing to worry about.
After 35 to 42 days, the eggs are ready to hatch. The whole clutch of eggs generally hatches within a 24-hour period.
The babies are called cygnets and they have fluffy grey feathers. They will stay in the nest for a further 24 hours before entering the water.
Will a swan attack me?
Swans will usually keep away from people but they are fiercely territorial, particularly in the breeding season. They are powerful birds and could seriously injure a human or another animal if they feel threatened.
Stay well back, keep children away from them and make sure dogs are kept on leads.
Swan fights
For your own safety, never attempt to approach or separate fighting swans.
When swans fight, or prevent other swans from entering the water, it is usually a territorial dispute or youngsters being driven off by the parents to find a new territory of their own. Although this can be distressing to witness, it is natural behaviour for swans.
If the birds involved are uninjured, they should be left alone. One of the birds will eventually fly off to a new area to establish a territory of their own.
Common problems for swans
Swans stuck in ice
If temperatures are unusually low and the water is very still, swans may become stuck. However, this is very rare and their body temperature is usually enough to thaw the ice.
Swans are incredibly powerful birds and can usually break any ice that forms around them to free themselves and fly away.
We cannot put our animal rescue officers or inspectors at risk on frozen water. Do not attempt to free the bird yourself by venturing on to frozen waterways or by throwing objects in an attempt to break up the ice. This could cause serious injury to the bird and put your own safety at risk.
Injuries from other animals and dog bites
Swans can get injured in disputes with other swans over territory. They can also be attacked or bitten by other animals such as foxes and dogs. Always keep dogs on leads in areas where there are swans.
Litter and pollution
Sadly, our waterways do not always make the most habitable environments for swans and cygnets. Items thrown into lochs or ponds can cause serious injuries to these large birds. Likewise, pollutants that get into the water or natural algae can make swans sick.
Fishing materials
Swans can become tangled in fishing wire or nets that are not discarded properly. They can also mistake fishing hooks or bait for food and try to swallow it, causing serious injuries.
Cygnet separated from parents
Cygnets are heavily reliant on their parents until they reach maturity. If you spot a cygnet on their own, monitor them for a period of time to make sure the parents return.
Juvenile swans moving on
When it’s time for young swans to find their own territory, the parents chase them away. This can look very aggressive but does not usually harm the swans.
Displaced or lost swans
Occasionally swans land on roads or in car parks.
If you come across a live swan on the road, exercise precaution in line with the highway code. Pull over when it is safe to do so and contact Police Scotland on 101 to ask for assistance from traffic control. Our officers are happy to assist Police Scotland where possible. Other organisations offering road maintenance services, such as BEAR Scotland and Amey, may also be able to help.
If the swan is lost elsewhere, monitor it from a distance to see if it can find its way back to water.
Illegal activity
It is illegal to cause deliberate or reckless harm to swans, their eggs and their nests. If anyone commits offenses like destroying a nest or shooting swans with an airgun, this crime should be reported to Police Scotland on 101.
Ducks
Around 20 different species of wild duck can be found in Scotland. Some are permanent residents whilst other spend the winter here or pass through on their way to warmer climates.
Ducks are roughly divided into ‘dabblers’ and ‘divers’; dabblers feed from the surface of the water but divers can dip beneath the surface to find food.
In almost all duck species, the drake (male) has more colourful feathers to attract a mate. The female (hen) is usually much plainer in comparison.
Where do ducks live?
Depending on the species, ducks can live in freshwater or saltwater. They are common in park ponds or lochs but you can also spot them bobbing in the sea.
What do ducks eat?
A duck’s natural diet of grains, grasses, aquatic plants, small fish and insects is usually enough to provide a balanced diet.
That's wild
Feeding the ducks at the park is a cherished past time for many people but foods like bread, crackers and popcorn can lead to nutritional disorders over time. Next time you visit the pond, why not take lettuce or oats.
When are baby ducks born?
Unlike swans who mate for life, ducks will change partners between breeding cycles.
For most duck species, the female lays between five and 12 eggs which hatch after around 28 days.
Mother ducks lead their ducklings to water shortly after birth. Ducklings are usually able to fly within five to eight weeks.
Ducklings can be preyed upon by other animals so it’s important for them to be with their mother for protection. Male ducks generally stay with the other males, but they guard the territory by chasing away predators whenever possible.
Do ducks migrate?
Whether or not a duck will migrate depends on the species.
Mallards and tufted ducks are two of the most common species in Scotland and they tend to live in the same place permanently.
Whilst most of the population of goosanders and red-breasted mergansers in Scotland are permanent residents, some are visitors from colder countries.
If you spot species like scoters or wigeons, they will likely only spend a short time in Scotland before travelling back to where they migrated from.
Common problems for ducks
Sick or injured ducks
If you come across a duck that has been injured or looks sick, please place a box over them and call our helpline on 03000 999 999.
Signs to look for include:
• Obvious injuries.
• An adult duck that is unable to fly.
• Being caught and injured by another animal.
• Seeming lethargic or not moving.
• Tangled in litter.
• Twitching or head-shaking.
• Falling over, trembling or convulsing.
• Walking around in circles.
• Holding their head at an abnormal angle.
Injuries from other animals and dog bites
Ducks can usually run or fly away from other animals who prey on them but sadly sometimes they do get attacked. If you know there are ducks in the area, keep any dogs on leads.
Litter and pollution
Sadly, our waterways do not always make the most habitable environments for ducks and ducklings.
Rubbish such as bottle caps or cans thrown into lochs or ponds can cause serious problems for ducks.
Fishing materials
Ducks can become tangled in fishing wire or nets that are not discarded properly. They can also mistake fishing hooks or bait for food and try to swallow it, causing serious injuries.
Ducklings separated from parents
Ducklings make easy prey for some larger animals. If they become separated from their mother, they could be at risk. If you spot a duckling on their own, monitor them for a period of time to see if the mother returns. Please be aware that mother ducks can be shy and might not return if you are standing too close to the ducklings.
Unusual nesting spots
Ducks sometimes choose inappropriate nesting sites such as window sills or city centre roofs. Generally they can make their own way to a body of water but monitor them from a distance to ensure they can leave their nesting spot.
Geese
With only two resident species found in Scotland, geese are the most elusive of the waterfowl family. One of the most widespread species of goose found in Scotland, the Canada goose, is not native, but was introduced to the UK from North America. The greylag is the largest breed of wild goose native to the British Isles.
Unfortunately, if a Canada goose come into our care, we cannot release them and by law, they must be put to sleep. The UK Government enforces legislation that determines that non-native, invasive species must be humanely euthanised and we must operate within the law.
That's wild
Look to the skies in late autumn and you’ll almost certainly see great numbers of geese flying in a V-shaped formation, communicating in loud honks.
Each winter, thousands of geese travel long distances to Scotland seeking a plentiful food supply and somewhere safe to spend the colder months.
Where do geese live?
Geese mainly settle in fields, grasslands, marshes or near lochs and ponds. However, they can also live in urban or suburban areas such as parks.
What do geese eat?
Geese enjoy a diet of aquatic vegetation, grasses, moss and grains. Some species also eat insects, molluscs and small crustaceans.
When are geese ducks born?
Like swans, most species of wild geese mate for life. On average, females lay five to six eggs, a day or so apart. The eggs are incubated for 28 days before hatching.
Baby geese, or goslings, are fluffy in appearance and can be grey or a yellowish-brown in colour.
Around 24 hours after hatching, the adults will lead the gosling into the water.
When do geese migrate?
Geese are a highly migratory species, and can travel long distances in search of warmer climates during winter. However, there is a large population of Canada geese who live in Scotland all year round.
Whilst there are thousands of native greylag geese living in Scotland, thousands more travel from northern European countries to spend the winter on our east coast.
Many more species, albeit in smaller numbers, spend part of the year in Scotland. Nature reserves offer us a fantastic opportunity to spot even some of the rarer species.
Will a goose attack me?
Geese will usually keep away from people but they are fiercely territorial, particularly in the breeding season. They are powerful birds and could seriously injure a human or another animal if they feel threatened.
Stay well back, keep children away from them and make sure dogs are kept on leads.
Common problems for geese
Geese on ice
Occasionally, if temperatures are unusually low and the water is very still, geese may become stuck. However, this is very rare and their body temperature is usually enough to thaw the ice, allowing them to fly off.
Do not attempt to free the bird yourself by venturing on to frozen waterways or by throwing objects in an attempt to break up the ice. This could cause serious injury to the bird and put your own safety at risk.
Injuries from other animals and dog bites
Geese can get injured in disputes with other geese over territory. They can also be attacked or bitten by other animals such as foxes and dogs.
Litter and pollution
Sadly, our waterways do not always make the most habitable environments for geese and goslings. Items thrown into lochs or ponds can cause serious injuries to these large birds. Likewise, pollutants that get into the water can make swans sick.
Goslings separated from parents
Goslings make easy prey for some larger animals. If they become separated from their mother, they could be at risk. If you spot a gosling on their own, monitor them for a period of time to see if the parent returns.