Scientists refute the myth of swan loyalty

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Australian scientists have debunked the myth of swan fidelity, finding that at least 10% of pairs of these birds separate after a few months.

Biologists at the University of Melbourne conducted a similar study, monitoring black swans in a city park for 18 years.

Raoul Mulder, from the University of Melbourne's School of Biological Sciences, said: "We followed the behavior of couples for many years, and found that only one family stayed together throughout the entire study period, that is, 18 years."

Biologists began studying swans in Albert Park in Melbourne in 2006, and during the study they were able to monitor the lives of two thousand birds. Indeed, in the early stages of monitoring, it was found that “some pairs can only settle for a few months, so “separation” is common among them,” and that about 10% of swan families do not live together for long.

Scientists also found that even the strongest pairs of swans sometimes take a break and the birds spend several months apart from each other, then meet again. They sometimes do this behavior in order to stay together for many years. Data from tracking devices attached to bird collars showed that approximately 40% of pairs spent time apart, with rest periods sometimes lasting about two months and sometimes three months.

Researcher Vincent Knowles said: "Half of the birds that took a break separated forever, and the rest continued together as was the case before."