Mute Swan - Denmark

The Danes refer to their flag as the “Danneborg”, translating as the “Danish Cloth.” A civil design had been in use since the late 1300’s, but was not officially adopted as the national flag until 1748. Though difficult to substantiate, it is claimed Denmark has the world’s longest continuously used national flag.

- - - - -

Cygnus olor - During the breeding season, mute swans nest in North-central Europe and winter from Northern Africa to as far east as Korea. Breeding pairs are monogamous and will use the same nest for several seasons. Males take a direct role in the care of cygnets, the young swans. Mute swans are territorial and aggressive in defending their nesting area. If a hissing noise does not ward off intruders, it will lead to a direct confrontation. The mute swan will attack with its bony wing spurs and as a last resort, it will bite.

Bittersweet - Denmark

Solanum dulcamara - Bittersweet is a member of the genus Solanum, the same genus as the potato. It is native to Europe and Asia, but can be found throughout the northern hemisphere. Being a vine, bittersweet can grow to lengths of 4 meters when attaching itself to trees for support. The fruit is a red berry about 1 centimeter in length and serves as an important food source for birds such as the European thrushes, but is poisonous when consumed by humans or livestock.

- - - - -

The Kalmar Union was a unified Scandinavian state existing from 1397 to 1523. It included Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Individual sovereignty of most local affairs was retained by each member, but domestic and foreign policy was directed by the reigning monarch. Its founding purpose was to check German intentions of expanding northwards. The Kalmar Union’s demise was caused by a lack of centralization. Denmark and Norway remained in their own union until 1814.

Atlantic Puffin - Faroe Islands

When the united kingdom of Denmark and Norway was dissolved by the Treaty of Kiel in 1814, Denmark retained control of the Føroyar Islands, Greenland, and Iceland. The Føroyar Islands and Greenland retain a high level of self-rule within the Danish realm; Iceland had opted for full independence in June 1944. 

- - - -

Fratercula arctica - The Atlantic puffin is one of three species in the genus Fratercula. It is found in the Northern Atlantic region. Adult puffins are solitary while feeding on the open ocean during the fall and winter; they come together to form breeding colonies in late spring. Young puffins spend the first few years of life at sea bobbing on the surface searching for food. The wings of a puffin are short in relation to its body size and not designed for sustained flights but they are ideal for propelling the bird through water when chasing fish.

Walrus - Greenland

Greenland, lying mainly in the Arctic Circle, is the world’s largest island. It was first explored by Eric the Red in 985. He named it “Grønland” merely to attract potential settlers; the name had little to do with real environmental conditions. The Vikings used Greenland as a base for further westward exploration and expansion.

- - - - -

Odebenus rosmarus - A male walrus is approximately 3.6 meters long and can weigh up to 2,000 kilos. The tusks of a mature male can grow to 1.2 meters; both sexes have tusks. The tusks are used for defense and digging into the ice to open or maintain breathing holes. They also serve as grappling hooks; the walrus will dig their tusks into the ice for support when hauling their massive bodies out of the water. A spread of heavy bristles sprouting from the upper lip serve as sensitive feelers when submerged and foraging for food.