Editorial photo #13497679 Human Interest
Mute Swans Fighting Over Mate In Ohio
Mute swans fight over a mate at the Fernald Nature Preserve in Ross, Ohio, on March 26, 2026. Mute swans are highly territorial birds that engage in fierce competition for mates and breeding sites, particularly during spring. Males, known as cobs, may battle rivals, sometimes attempting to submerge them, to secure a female or defend a nesting territory. These often lifelong pairs aggressively drive away intruders. (Photo by Jason Whitman/NurPhoto)
