Further along on my sunday drive I went to Black Duck lagoon. (or whatever it's called) I found a pair of adult Black Swans with two older juveniles.
Funny thing was, one of the juveniles and the adult it was hanging around with both were swimming around with one leg lifted out of the water. They would occasionally scratch their heads with that leg, but it was out of the water for about half the time I was watching them.
Is that normal?
Anyway, enjoy!
there is a previous thread commenting on this behaviour with pics from Araminta (I seem to recall); I can't however recall any conclusions
Peter
I think they do this to regulate their body temperature, as far as I remember. I will try and find some more information about it for you, I just have to remember where I saw it
Is it warm where you live? Here it's freezing cold
Love the photos
M-L
Hmm... interesting... yes, I would say it was in the mid 20s. So warmish for this time of year.
The first two I saw were doing it, but when the second adult and youngster came out from a shady sort of area, they weren't.
Found this for you, I remembered correctly
Sent in by Shelah Walster, Swadlincote, Derbyshire
It is normal for swans to swim with one leg tucked onto their back. People are often concerned that the leg is broken or deformed but the swan is perfectly fine. Swans will often stretch one of their legs whilst swimming and instead of putting it in the water, they will tuck it up onto their back. It has been suggested that this behaviour may play a role in helping to regulate the body temperature of the bird. The legs and feet are the only part of the swan not covered in feathers so the blood vessels are in closer contact with the air. The large surface area of the webbed foot makes it easier for heat to be transferred from the body to the air, cooling the swan. This heat exchange could also work the other way, with the feet absorbing heat from the air to warm the bird.
M-L
Ah, very interesting. :)
It seemed a rather odd thing to do at the time, but I suppose it is perfectly logical.
Yes I have seen this many of times too before here are a couple of photos taken last August of a Swan doing the same thing.
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
Seals will do the same thing, often float on the surface with one flipper exposed, again to regulate temperature.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania