© 2006 Barbara Banthien ...Science Art-Birds

Title: The Swan on the Lake
Species: Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Artist: Barbara Banthien (for further information, click on the artist's name)
Image size: 15 1/2" x 24"
Media: acrylic
Date: 2006
San Francisco, CA

The artist notes: "Mute Swans were introduced to North America as decorative birds for wealthy landowners. Their numbers have increased, and the swans now compete for habitat, food and nesting areas with some native birds including Common Loons, which are threatened in Michigan, and recently re-introduced Trumpeter Swans. These evocative but aggressive birds can drive off similarly sized geese and native swans—including the Trumpeter--and have been known to attack people who approach their nests."

The individual shown here is preening—distributing waterproofing oil gathered from a gland at the base of its tail, and realigning its “ruffled” feathers."