There are six living and many extinct species of swan; in addition, there is a species known as the coscoroba swan which is no longer considered one of the true swans. Swans usually mate for life, although separation sometimes occurs, particularly following nesting failure, and if a mate dies, the remaining swan will take up with another.

Aug 4, 2015 · A male swan is called a cob. Male swans do not incubate the pen’s eggs, but they swim close by and protect the nest from any predators. A female swan is called a pen, and their young are called cygnets.

Jun 4, 2021 · I am always being asked " How do you tell the difference between the male and female Swan ?" At a distance it is almost impossible - however, close up there are a number of differences. The main difference can be seen in the photo I prepared, showing Penny on the left and Duke on the right.

In swan Male swans, called cobs, and females, called pens, look alike. Legend to the contrary, swans utter a variety of sounds from the windpipe, which in some species is looped within the breastbone (as in cranes); even the mute swan, the least …

Nov 29, 2022 · Male swans, called cobs, and females, called pens, look alike. What’s the name for a female swan? A female swan is called a pen, and their young are called cygnets. Why are female swans called pens? An adult male is a cob, from Middle English cobbe (leader of a group); an adult female is a pen.

Mar 10, 2025 · A male swan is called a cob. This distinct name is not arbitrary but has historical roots, stemming from the characteristic knob or protuberance at the base of the cob’s beak. This feature, particularly prominent during the breeding season, serves as a distinguishing mark and gives rise to the term.

Apr 7, 2025 · The Cob’s Role in Swan Society. The cob plays a vital role in the family dynamics of swans. He is primarily responsible for defending the territory and protecting the nest. While the pen primarily incubates the eggs, the cob stands guard, ready to fend off any potential threats. Once the cygnets hatch, both parents work together to raise and ...

Swan Basics. The male swan is called the Cob. He typically weighs more and looks slightly larger than the female (the Pen), although it is often difficult to tell the male and female apart. The female swan will incubate the eggs and both parents …

A male swan is called a Cob. The female is called a Pen and the young of the year are called cygnets (pronounced 'sig-nets'). How can you tell a male from female swan?

As verbs the difference between cob and swan is that cob is to construct using mud blocks or to seal a wall using mud or an artificial equivalent while swan is to travel or move about in an aimless, idle, or pretentiously casual way.