Why does the queen own swans?

The ownership of mute swans in England and Wales is a historic privilege that originated in medieval times. The Crown claimed ownership of all unmarked swans in open waters as a way of controlling the swan population and protecting them as a valuable food source. This prerogative was primarily enforced by the Crown's gamekeepers, who were responsible for marking royal swans with a unique nick on the beak.

The tradition of royal swan ownership has continued to this day, but the Crown's rights are now largely symbolic. The Queen, as the reigning monarch, is considered the owner of all unmarked mute swans in open waters, but this ownership is no longer actively managed or enforced. The responsibility for the care and protection of swans now falls primarily to conservation organizations and wildlife authorities.

It's important to note that the Crown's ownership of swans is limited to mute swans in open waters. Other species of swans and waterfowl may be protected under different regulations and fall under the jurisdiction of various conservation organizations or government agencies.