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Name: Kristy
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Question:
How well do swans hear?

Replies:
A very useful entry on hearing can be found in "The Birdwatcher's Companion," Christopher Leahy editor. It states that generally the hearing frequency range of individual species of birds is considerably less than that of humans, and understandably matches the range of the sounds they make. Native North American swans are vocal and quite loud so we can assume they hear well and at considerable distance within that range. Other species of birds hear in other ranges, and the TOTAL frequency range ALL species of birds hear is greater than that of humans. The European mute swan common in urban ponds, despite its name, does make a variety of sounds.

J. Elliott

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