Have you ever had your arm broken by a swan?

Question

Somone did.. Or so I am constantly told. About time you made yourself known, Swanman.

Answer 1

My Uncle Harvey had his leg broken by a swan in Montana.
He deserved it, too.

.

Answer 2

Has a swan ever actually broken a man's arm with one flap of its wing?
Mute swans - the big white ones with the black and pink bills that pensioners and kids feed in parks - are the largest wild birds in the UK and can weigh up to 15kg. They are proprietorial and get especially peeved when they are guarding their young. According to the caring folk at the Milton Keynes Wildlife Hospital, whether you get hurt is all a matter of how you approach them. Here's what they've got to say on the matter: "Although swans are very strong and have the ability to do you damage which may quite possibly break your arm, providing you stay in front of the bird, grab the neck lightly, and pull carefully forward and then wrap your arm around it at the same time there is not a problem." Easy, huh?

The guys at the RSPB tell us that the noble swan will at least give you plenty of warning before it attacks, by hissing, spreading its wings, approaching you and honking. That said, there have been documented cases where swans attack. In Indiana, USA, a swan protecting its nest was suspected of drowning a fisherman. In 1982 police reported that the bird was seen attacking Lowell King's hat and cigarettes that were floating in the water next to his boat. His body was later pulled from the water with markings on his face that could have been caused by an animal. An autopsy showed King died of 'asphyxiation from the water'. The swan was taken to a sanctuary to avoid grudge attacks against him.

In May 2001 Mary Ryan failed to get £30,000 in compensation after a swan attacked her in Dublin's Phoenix Park. The judge ruled that the swan was not "a wild jungle beast" and was probably just "having a bad day". Fashion designer Donna Karan's Jack Russell, Petey, was killed by a swan which used its wings to hold the dog underwater while he "pecked his head bloody" in Central Park in New York last year. Donna's daughter Gaby unsuccessfully campaigned to have a sign erected reading 'Beware - Killer Swan'.

You've been warned.

Answer 3

No. But I live on a minor canal in Amsterdam, we have a pair of swans that nest every year a bit further from down from us. From the time she lays the eggs until the signets are gone, the male is VERY aggressive. He chases boats. He attacks anything on the water that isn't a bird. The city even puts a sign up on the bridge warning boats to stay on the OTHER SIDE of the canal. I don't know if he's broken any arms. But if you saw this big boy bearing down on a kayak you'd be glad you were NOT in that kayak.

Answer 4

It is possible that someone had their arm broken indirectly by a swan when they (the person) slipped on all that swan poop which is laying all around any pond they (the swans) infest.

Answer 5

Yes I did, it was the day after someone "had my eye out with an umbrella", therefore I did not see the swan as soon as I would have done

Answer 6

Swan fighting was banned in our village last year after the police and RSPB inspectors came interfering

Answer 7

No,but ive been punched in the mouth by an Albert Ross

Answer 8

No, but I've had my heart broken by a pig.....lol

Answer 9

No. I think everyone has heard that story. I think it is probably an urban legend.

Answer 10

Oh, Brad.