Mute Swan

Cygnus olor

The name is misleading: it isn't mute, just quieter than other swans, and it grunts, snorts and whistles hoarsely. Its scientific name, Cygnus olor, says 'swan' twice, in two different words.

Cygnus comes from the Greek kyknos, 'swan'; olor is another Latin word for 'swan.' Cygnus is also the swan in the night sky, sometimes said to be Zeus in disguise. 'Swan song' comes from an ancient belief that swans are silent in life and sing beautifully just before they die. Pliny said it wasn't true.