Meet Bert & Ernie

Where did Bert and Ernie come from?

 

Les and Cindy told us the whole story: “We bought Bert and Ernie from a swan farm in North Barrington, Illinois.  We took our large dog crate in our truck when we took our trip to pick them up. At the time we brought them home to Lotus Pond in July of 2020, they were two years old.  We got quite a few strange looks as we were driving back to Champaign with swans in the back of our truck in a crate!”  

 

Which swan is Bert? Which swan is Ernie?

 

Bert’s neck is thicker than Ernie’s but it’s hard to tell if you see them apart.  And if they feel threatened, they will ruffle their feathers and then it is really hard to know which is which.

 

What do swans eat?

 

Swans don't have teeth, so they need the water to help them swallow the food.  Les and Cindy buy special Wild Water Foul feed and whole kernel corn, but not cracked corn since it is too small for them to pick up. They feed Bert and Ernie about a cup of each several times during the day. Cindy says they know their names and come when it is feeding time.

 

They also will eat lettuce, cabbage, and potatoes, but these have to be cut up into small pieces. Bert and Ernie’s diet also includes insects and algae and whatever else they may find in the ponds. They should never be fed bread, though, since they can’t digest it very well. Please leave the feeding of the swans to Les, Cindy, and others who can give them their special feed.

 

Are swans friendly? Do they ever attack?

 

Swans are wild animals. They won’t bother you unless they feel threatened.  If you get too close to them, they will hiss, which is a sign to move away.  Yes, they can attack.  Their wings are very strong and could cause injuries, so please admire these beautiful creatures from a safe distance.

 

Do Bert and Ernie sleep? How?

 

Bert and Ernie generally sleep in the water at night as protection against predators, like foxes and coyotes. They do get up on the bank during the day and look like they are sleeping.

 

Do Bert and Ernie get along with the geese and the ducks?

 

Yes, they do get along with the geese and ducks—better than we would like them to.  Les and Cindy hoped that they might keep the messy geese away.  But Bert and Ernie let the geese and ducks (especially the ducks) share their food with them!  

 

Where do Bert and Ernie go in the winter? Do they fly south?

 

Bert and Ernie have had their wings clipped, so they really can’t fly.  They stay right here all winter.  As long as the aerators in our pond are bubbling, which keeps open water for them to swim in, they are fine.  Of course, we feed them all winter because they can’t get as much nutrition from the lake.

 

Thank you, Les and Cindy, for telling us more about Bert and Ernie! We love watching these beautiful birds glide across the ponds.

​

– Neighborhood reporters Janet and Johnny Barrett