I see that this an older thread, Grumpy Andy, and iit may open the door to bring some people back who have not been on here for a while. Yet again it must not have the replied wanted here.

First time I have seen this you tube video,Nathan. Still a great bit of filming to enjoy, and to met you in real life.

Yes, Swans have their way of greeting people and must know if people are being kind to them with all the feeding that they get. They are spoilt and well looked after, and they know it.

I think they have their own language and way of telling you how they are feeling. The fluffed up feathers is one way of telling you to leave them alone that is an obvious one for a start

Not sure what the head bobbing means, and might be a Swan greeting you for mutual respect, and the grunting saying they are happy to meet you.

Just my own observations here without a swan language book LOL

Regards

Kathy and Dave

In reply to ItisaRobbo:

Yes, I do, but trust me, the particular swans I am referring to are not remotely tame. Whenever the people from Abbotsbury get a call about a swan from Poole Park, they "hope it isn't him". That's an actual quote. The dad is a beast and attacks whenever he wants to, which is basically all the time. In the last year he has changed the way he interacts with me. It was his choice. Now he gets right next to me, sometimes he just watches, other times he wants to play, but he doesn't lunge attack anymore, not with me at least. Because I know what it's like to be on the receiving end of his power, I can feel the difference in his actions now. If he wants to hurt he uses the power in his neck, if he doesn't, he just uses his beak.

From what I have seen over time and what I've been told from the other regulars there I'm literally the only one he/they choose to interact with in these ways. They have simply decided to have a different kind of relationship with me. Like someone else said on a thread here, they aren't learning my language, they are teaching me theirs.

In reply to Peewit:

Hi Kathy and Dave and you are spot on about fluffed up feathers. They actually seem to have warning levels, fluffed/puffed up neck, raising their wings, hissing and then finally just before they get aggressive they spread their wings as wide as possible and then it's the full compliment of warnings together.

Do swans understand the concept of "Hello" & "Goodbye"?