Swans do not necessarily need water to take off. If there is an open field or waterway, the swan can take-off and land on both water and land. However, a number of injuries occur when the swan sees an asphalt road covered with water or a mirage occurring on very hot days which makes the road appear as a waterway. These landings can be extremely dangerous and cause severe injuries as well as even death for swans attempting to land on roadways.

In the case of take-offs, buildings, electrical lines and other such obstacles pose great danger for the swan and is the reason that a clear waterway or large amount of land is necessary. The Regal Swan