Swans are beautiful, graceful birds that live on lakes and rivers across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. While swans may appear serene as they glide across the water, they are actually quite powerful and can be aggressive when threatened. This makes it challenging to determine if a swan is injured or in distress. However, there are some key signs to look for to assess a swan’s health and wellbeing.
Look for changes in behavior
One of the best ways to tell if a swan is hurt is to look for any changes in its typical behavior. Healthy swans are active – they spend their days swimming, foraging, preening their feathers, and interacting with other birds. A swan that becomes lethargic, immobile, or isolated from the rest of the flock could be injured or unwell. Here are some specific behavior changes to watch out for:
– The swan is not swimming or floating on the water. Healthy swans spend most of their time in the water. A swan staying on shore or having trouble staying afloat could indicate an injury or illness.
– The swan is having trouble flying or holding up its wings. Swans use their large, powerful wings both for flying and showing aggression. If a swan’s wings appear droopy or it struggles to flap them, it could be dealing with an injury or fracture.
– The swan is not eating. Swans use their long necks to plunge their heads underwater to feed on aquatic plants and algae. A swan that is making no effort to feed itself could be feeling ill.
– The swan is isolated from the flock. Swans are social birds that congregate in flocks called bevies. A solitary swan away from the group could be an outcast due to injury or weakness.
– The swan’s movements seem labored. Healthy swans walk, swim and fly gracefully. Clumsy or strained movements can be a symptom of injury or pain.
Look for visible injuries
In addition to changes in energy level or sociability, look for any visible wounds, trauma or abnormalities on the swan’s body. Some possible injuries to look out for include:
– Cuts, lacerations or puncture wounds. These can be caused by predators, fights with other swans, or sharp debris in the water.
– Broken bones. Signs include limping, inability to fly, wing drooping abnormality. Such fractures are common after being struck by vehicles.
– Entanglement. Fishing line, netting, or plastic pollution wrapped around the legs, wings or neck restrict movement.
– Damaged beak. The beak may appear cracked, malformed or injured after a fight. This hampers the swan’s ability to feed.
– Oiled feathers. Feathers matted with oil make it impossible for the swan to thermoregulate or gain buoyancy on water. Even a small amount of oil can damage a swan’s waterproofing.
– Bleeding from the eyes, mouth or nostrils. This can indicate a serious internal injury or illness.
– Missing feathers. Bald patches where feathers are torn out or fall out can point to external parasites, stress or self-mutilation.
Assess the swan’s body condition
Subtle changes in a swan’s appearance and energy level can hint that it is unwell or malnourished. Here’s what to look out for:
– Ruffled, dirty feathers. Healthy swans take great care to oil and preen their feathers for water resistance and insulation. Messy, unkempt feathers indicate a swan too weak or in pain to clean itself.
– Discharge from eyes/nares. Any mucus, oozing or discharge is abnormal and suggests infection or disease.
– Labored breathing. watch for any Raspy, wheezing breaths with open mouth indicating respiratory issues.
– Lethargy/inability to fly. Sick swans conserve their energy and may rest on shore instead of energetically flying or swimming.
– Sores on the feet. Foot sores and lesions develop if a swan is forced to stand or walk too much out of the water.
– Weight loss. The swan may appear emaciated or have prominent breastbone and scapula bones.
Monitor for potential health issues
There are some common swan ailments to be aware of. If you observe any of these symptoms, the swan likely needs medical assistance:
Lead poisoning
– Causes: Ingesting fishing weights or tackle containing lead
– Symptoms: Inability to fly, tremors, lethargy, green diarrhea
Aspergillosis
– Causes: Mold infection of the lungs and air sacs
– Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, weakened wings, discharge from eyes and mouth
Avian Botulism
– Causes: Ingesting toxin produced by bacteria in warm water
– Symptoms: Weakness, neck kinked over back, paralysis
Fishing gear entanglement
– Causes: Discarded fishing line or tackle getting wrapped around body
– Symptoms: Constricted movement, lacerations, amputated limbs
Boat/car strike injuries
– Causes: Being hit by watercraft or vehicles
– Symptoms: Limping, inability to fly, broken bones, other wounds
Parasites/skin infections
– Causes: Mites, lice, fungus, bacteria
– Symptoms: Missing feathers, constant scratching/pecking, skin irritation
Know when to call for help
If you spot a swan exhibiting concerning symptoms, here are some steps to help:
– Do not try to catch or handle the swan. Swans are powerful, aggressive birds that will lash out if feeling threatened. Never attempt to pick up or treat a swan yourself.
– Call local animal control or wildlife rehabilitators. There are professionals licensed to safely contain, transport and treat injured swans. Many run 24/7 emergency hotlines.
– Secure the scene. Prevent the swan from wandering into dangerous areas like roadways. Block off the scene from vehicles, dogs and people.
– Document what you observe. Take photos and videos showing the swan’s symptoms and behavior. Detail dates, times and location. This aids diagnosis.
– Monitor from a distance until help arrives. Check on the swan periodically but avoid excessive human presence which could further stress the bird.
– Ask bystanders to back away. Have crowds disperse so the swan remains as calm as possible.
– Leave rescue to the experts. Once care teams arrive, follow their directions and allow them to take over.
How to help prevent swan injuries
While swan injuries can happen naturally, human activity often puts swans at risk. Here are tips for living near swans safely:
– Never feed swans. Human food can lead to malnutrition, dependency and unnatural behavior.
– Dispose of garbage properly. Fishing line, plastic bags and hooks can strangle or poison swans.
– Drive carefully around lakes. Swans have difficulty avoiding vehicles on land. Slow down.
– Keep dogs leashed. Loose dogs often chase and attack swans on shorelines.
– Avoid swan nests. Give swan families space during breeding season.
– Say something if you see harassment. Prevent people from throwing objects at swans or chasing them.
– Support conservation groups. Get involved with organizations that protect swan habitats and wellbeing.
Conclusion
Swans are known for their grace, beauty and calm demeanor. But they face many threats ranging from pollution to speeding boats. By recognizing the signs of an injured or unwell swan, and calling in professional care when needed, you can make a big difference in protecting these iconic waterfowl. A hurt swan depends on human compassion and readiness to take action. With some basic knowledge, a little patience, and alertness, we can all help safeguard the health and longevity of swans worldwide.
