They grace the River Irwell.
The docklands, no longer dank and empty but oxygenated basins next to The Quays, is also one of their hangouts.
Manchester Ship Canal is a favourite haunt too.
READ MORE: Birds known as 'pretty boys of Manchester' are dividing opinion
Serene, huge, and capable of being a bit intimidating, the mute swan is a regal sight on Salford's waterways.
When threatened or angry it can hiss loudly. But its reputation for being an aggressive piece of work is largely unfounded.
Now it as been chosen as the city's avian mascot.
It topped a poll for Salford in a regional survey to choose a bird for each of Greater Manchester's ten boroughs.
Greater Manchester Birding City Region (GMBCR) Project had suggested choices for the region's "Perfect Ten".
After a vote in June, the results for Salford and all nine other boroughs are now in.
James Walsh, also known as The Mancunian Birder, of the GMBCR Project, said “The people of Salford have taken to the Perfect Ten concept like a cygnet to water! I know from my Salford docker heritage that the Salford people are the 'can do people' and this has proven to be the case.
"There have been some great contributions to the campaign for the Mute Swan to be the official bird of the Salford borough from photos on social media to merchandise, and there is also talk of a film.
"The concept of 'A Bird For The Borough' has also been discussed at Salford Council and with Paul Dennett, the Salford Mayor.
“Salford is the “engine room” of Greater Manchester and I was not surprised when Andrew Western recently stated at the Chamber of Commerce Natural Capital Conference that Salford is taking the lead on the 'Greater Manchester Green City Region' agenda. As the song says… Salford never lets you down.
“We chose the Mute Swan as it represents the waterways – the essential wildlife corridors that connect all the habitats – such as the River Irwell, the Manchester Ship Canal and the Bridgewater Canal.
"This species also represents the new Kersal Wetlands and the Country Parks such as Blackleach and Clifton. In the survey the Mute Swan was a popular choice with 79% agreeing with this selection for Salford.
“There are many amazing birds that we could have chosen for an initial selection for Salford, especially residents of the internationally important mosslands such as the Buzzard, also known as the Salford Eagle.
"I hope that we have started a very intriguing debate about what bird truly represents the Salford borough. I’m very interested to see any future public consultation results from Salford Council.”
Across the Irwell in Manchester, it was a close call with 50 per cent of voters choosing the rose-ringed parakeet.
James said: "They are a colourful bird that flock together in loud, industrious groups, also known as the 'noisy neighbours' and 'the pretty boys of Manchester."
Every borough and its chosen bird
84% for the Willow Tit in Wigan
83% for the Tawny Owl in Oldham
79% for the Peregrine Falcon in Rochdale
79% for the Mute Swan in Salford
77% for the Kingfisher in Bolton
74% for the Lapwing in Trafford
74% for the Little Egret in Bury
72% for the Mandarin Duck in Stockport
72% for the Red Grouse in Tameside
50% for the Rose-ringed Parakeet in Manchester
The idea for each borough to adopt a bird comes from America where each of its states has its own bird as a symbol of its environmental heritage.
Texas and Tennessee share the northern mockingbird and Idaho has the mountain bluebird.
"We are proposing that councils officially adopt a bird for each borough for a number of different reasons – to represent each borough, to connect people with nature, to encourage people to care for the environment, to increase civic pride and stimulate an interest in the ecology on our doorstep, " said James.
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