How many species of swans reside in the UK?
The only permanent resident is the mute swan which does not migrate (though they may move around the country in winter to better feeding grounds). Bewick and whooper swans are winter visitors – see our Swan Species section for further details. I’ve seen a black swan in the wild… Black swans are actually from Australia and New Zealand and are not indigenous to this country. Some are bred and sold in the UK for private lakes and would normally have their wings pinioned when very young such that they cannot fly and escape into the wild. However a few clearly slip through the net as there are several living on the River Thames these days. They live happily with the common white “Mute” swan and eat the same food so, if you do see one, there is nothing to worry about.
