Are Swans being unreasonable?

[Glittercloud17]

Genuine question: Are Swans Being Unreasonable?

Has anyone ever actually had their arm broken by a swan? It’s something we have all said at some point, but has it ever actually happened to you or anyone you know?

🦢

Canada geese are the unreasonable ones. Aggressive and strong buggers

My family member has scars from swans, but no, they can't break your arm.

I've rescued cygnets to take to a Sanctuary and released a full grown adult back to the wild in exchange. She didn't break me!
Incidentally, The Waterfowl Sanctuary do amazing work and are completely independent so if anyone is looking for somewhere to donate to, a Swan safe place is an excellent choice!
You can even visit, and taking a swan home with you for release is not at all compulsory 😂
https://www.thewaterfowlsanctuary.co.uk/

I was bitten by a goose when I was 3.

I still love them though. I probably deserved it.

Swans are NBU. We know they can break our arms, and they know we know, and that’s good enough for them. They don’t need to brag, or press the point, they can just majestically float in the knowledge that if they needed to, they could break a limb or two. We must continue to live in a state of mild fear of the swan.

I did end up falling off a punt as my friend thought she could deter the swans that were near us by throwing crisps into the water to distract them. They came back for more, she panicked, rocked the punt, and as steerer, I fell off.

It was her fault not theirs though.

Everyone saying Goose. Imagine the gif being a swan. I’m half a bottle of Prosecco in and not wearing my variforcals. Jeez. You’re a tough crowd.

for the Poll, it should read

1. Swans are being unreasonable
2. Swans are not being unreasonable

Swans are the Cressida Cowper of the bird world - all classical beauty and frills but evil as fuck underneath.

https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-24008,00.html www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-24008,00.html]]]]

My friend's friend broke her arm running from a swan. Does that count?

We're always very wary when we're swimming if there's a swan with cygnets. We give them a wide berth and try to appear non threatening. I've seen them chase kayaks. When you're on their level in the water, they are quite impressive and rather fearsome.

No

I personally know thirty seven people who have had their arms broken by a swan.

It was the same swan, too.

His name was Silas.

They can give you a good wallop. The much-missed Simon from Wildlife Aid Foundation got thumped by one when he was rescuing its cygnet

Geese are fucking vile creatures. I have just cause to hate them

Swans on the other hand are so beautiful, but yes I treat them with respect

Another well known fact about swans is they all belong to Her late Majesty The Queen.

St John's College, Cambridge can also eat them, or that's what I was told. I did go to formal hall there several times, but no swans were on the menu.

Maybe the goose wants to indetify as a Swan?

Geese are not cute and funny I have been bitten by one, totally unprovoked and very traumatic.
Never had my arm broken by a swan though

No they don't. Abbotsbury Swannery owns its own swans, and some on the Thames belong to the Vinters and Dyers livery companies.

They ate cygnet rather than full grown swans.

My grandad had a cockerel that put 2 men in hospital. Nasty little bugger.

True, as I know to my cost. I was handfeeding one and in it's haste to grab the food, it bit my thumb and drew blood.
Considering they don't have teeth, their beaks are lethal, it really hurt.😓

I have had some bad swan experiences…never broken my arm but they are very aggressive!

Yes. Fecking birds.

Swans aren't unreasonable.
Geese aren't unreasonable.
Humans ARE unreasonable for going into their territory.

For clarity, anywhere with a swan or goose present is their territory.

But if you must - burrito them in a towel, then stick them in an Ikea bag.

Swans can be vicious bastards. One of them tried to drown my dog in a completely unprovoked attack.

My lovely unsuspecting spaniel jumped into the lake to fetch a stick I'd thrown. Normal enough walk, dog off lead but his recall is excellent. Even so, if I'd seen the swan I wouldn't have let him off lead or let him swim in the lake.

So dog had swum out after the stick and was bringing it back to me when this swan appeared out of nowhere, chased doggo down and hopped on his back, flapping its wings and pecking at his head. It was trying to push my terrified dog under the water by stamping its feet on his back.

Poor dog swam like mad for the shore, encouraged by me and a couple of horrified bystanders. He made it, thankfully, complete with his favourite stick, but it was a vicious attack and if my dog hadn't been a strong swimmer he'd have been in serious trouble.

Swans normally keep to themselves at a dignified distance but this one clearly perceived my dog as a threat so I guess there must've been a nest or cygnets around.

A swan in full attack mode is a scary thing and deserves treating with respect.