Watch This Bully Swan Push Turtles Off a Branch for No Good Reason

Check out this clip if you want to see some serious swan attitude! The swan in this pond has decided that they do not want some turtles to bask on an overhanging branch. The cheeky swan goes up to each of them in turn and nudges them into the water using its beak. The turtles are defenseless against this kind of attack – all they can do is slide off the branch and start swimming. Meanwhile, one of their mates is having an even worse day. The camera pans to another turtle that is flipped onto its back and is struggling to right itself. We don’t know if the swan had anything to do with this, but it is looking a bit guilty!

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Do Swans Eat Turtles?

No, swans would not be able to crack open a turtle shell with their beak. Swans eat both plants and animal protein but eat mainly aquatic plants. They eat common water weed, pondweed, and muskgrass but will also eat grain, wheat, wild rice, and even blueberries! The animal protein element of their diet is made up of beetles, snails, worms, and several types of insects. They have a serrated beak which they can use for grazing plants on land and in the water. You can often see swans using their long necks to reach down and grab plants from the bottom of the pond.

Are Swans Aggressive Towards Humans?

Some swan species are very territorial and this is interpreted by humans as aggression. The mute swan, in particular, will go to great lengths to protect their eggs and their offspring. There has even been a case of a man drowning because he was attacked by a swan who then prevented him from swimming to shore. The incident happened near Chicago and involved a male mute swan. These are some of the largest waterfowl in North America and Europe and can weigh up to 28 pounds. They can also have a wingspan of almost 8 feet. There have also been incidents in the UK of swans attacking humans when they were protecting their nests on a river. Most swan attacks are just bluster and they only inflict the odd bruise on their human victims. The swan in this clip seems to be more intrigued by the turtles than upset by them.