Great questions!

1. Mute swans are the species (Cygnus olor). So, they are known as Mute Swans in scientific taxonomic terms. However, swan keepers designate them as Royal or Polish based upon their feet coloring. If the feet are black in color and the beaks reddish orange, the swans are known as Royal Mutes. If the feet are lighter colored (pinkish/gray/taupe) and the beak is orange (lighter in color), then the swan is known as the leucistic Polish Mute. Many centuries ago, someone in Poland/Hungary/etc., tried to mate swans and their cygnets until they got what they thought was an albino swan. However, the coloring is not a true albino because color is present. Therefore, the Polish mute was formed. You may have Royal Mute parents and along the genetic line, they can produce Polish Mutes. Conversely, you may have a Polish Mute parent and they may produce all Royals and the trait does not show up until later when the cygnets produce offspring.

2. Based upon territorialism or just boredom with an area, swans can swap areas of the pond.

3. Trumpeters are usually more dominant over the Mute Swans just because of size. However, aggressiveness is a personality trait and a Mute Swan could be more aggressive than a Trumpeter. Aggression can be related to species and even to individualism. The smaller Black Swan of Australia is the most aggressive of all swans and will try to chase even Trumpeters and Mutes. Sometimes this bullying works, but eventually size will win and cease the behavior. Just like in the school yard bully situation, if the aggressor becomes such a pain that the victim no longer wants to take the aggression, then the aggressive behavior can switch. Size does matter!

4. Swans can recognize the voice of their caretakers, can recognize their names and can even be conditioned to answer a dinner bell or other noise.

5. Is Carl a young bird? Is there another swan in the area that Carl likes or is Carl terrorized by the other swans?

If no other swan is present that he likes, or he is being terrorized, Carl looks to you for protection and food. If he becomes more friendly with you (wanting to stay with you instead of in the water, etc., it is a sign that Carl thinks he is a person and has singled you out to be his mate. He is lonely and has imprinted on you. This is not the best situation. Swans can become imprinted to the point that they no longer like swans, but only people. This can be dangerous for him and you or other people. Swans can try to mate with people, follow them around, become aggressive to other people (like your husband for instance) to protect his "woman". As funny as this sounds, he or someone is going to get hurt. You need to try and keep your contact with him to a minimum and try to find him a swan mate. Let us know how he progresses. The Regal Swan