The video below was taken last March after I witnessed a dramatic swan fight that I truly believed was a matter of life and death. The event began when a young male swan materialized in the Coatsworth Cut of Ashbridge’s Bay and proceeded to check out our female swan, Penny.
Penny’s mate, Tycho, immediately flew into action to protect her and their territory. Tycho chased the unnamed interloper far out to the open water of the lake, trying all along to drown him. The fight was brutal to watch, and I had my heart in my throat for Tycho, who has been Penny’s mate for years and years.
Tycho seemed to have the upper wing, so to speak, throughout the duration of the fight that I could see, but, when the two males were extremely far out, I couldn’t see which bird was on top and which one was being drowned under the water. Eventually, the two birds — fighting murderously all the while — arrived back on shore, where it turned out that Tycho was the victor.
The interloper was pecked into submission by the stronger, more powerful Tycho, and eventually paddled slowly away, defeated. The video that follows is the mating ritual that took place about a minute later between the victor, Tycho, and his long love, Penny.
I hope you enjoy my short video — it lasts about a minute (until I lost my balance and almost fell into the water. )
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