Ask the Swan Specialist

Re: In the popular Swans feeding the Koi fish video what is going on?
By:The Regal Swan Foundation
Date: 2 December 2015

Hi Dora

1. The swans are not feeding the fish. Swans must have water to eat so they do not choke. So, the swans are dipping the food and the particles of food separates and then is eaten by the fish. The fish learn real quick that the swans are providing morsels and so they hang around the swans during the feeding sessions.

2. All wildlife probably grieve to a certain extent, but unlike humans this grief is not going to be prolonged. To do so will increase the chances of predation, illness or failure to find another mate to propagate the species. Long term grief is detrimental not only to the individual, but also the entire family, flock and species. Swans and all wildlife obviously have intelligence or they would not have lasted as long as they have with predators and humans. We lovingly call swans dogs with feathers as they do recognize people and voices and can be somewhat trained, not necessarily domesticated. Swans are not owned by their keepers, they own their keepers! The Regal Swan

Messages In This Thread

In the popular Swans feeding the Koi fish video what is going on? -- Dora -- 1 December 2015
Re: In the popular Swans feeding the Koi fish video what is going on? -- Dora -- 6 December 2015
Re: In the popular Swans feeding the Koi fish video what is going on? -- The Regal Swan -- 7 December 2015
Re: In the popular Swans feeding the Koi fish video what is going on? -- The Regal Swan Foundation -- 2 December 2015