A welcome guest in 57,000 homes! November 2023
5
The Aggressive and
Invasive Mute Swan
Swans are well-known as very large, graceful white birds.
There are three species of swans currently living in North America: trumpeter
swans, tundra swans and mute swans. Trumpeter and mute swans are similar in
size, and they can each have a wingspan exceeding seven feet. Tundra swans
typically have a wingspan of six feet or less. The trumpeter and tundra swans
are native species while the mute swans are non-native invaders.
All three swan species look similar, but mute swans can be identified by their
bright orange bill with a black base. They have a bit of a bulging knob at the
base of the bill, too. Other swans simply have a black bill. The long neck of
mute swans is often held in the shape of an “S” as they paddle around in the
water.
Mute swans can be very aggressive, especially during breeding season. They
will try to drive off anything or anyone who gets too close to them or their nest,
including people and boats. Since they are such large birds, they can be a real
threat to careless humans. So keep your distance if you encounter them on your
favorite local water.
One of the problems caused by mute swans is habitat degradation. These
large swans can eat up to eight pounds of aquatic vegetation per day. In some
locations, they can remove the plant life faster than it can re-grow. This can
destroy existing habitats and displace native wildlife species, including other
waterfowl. The next time you see a large white swan, try to determine if it is a
native species or an invader. And keep your distance!
“Mute swans
are originally
from Europe,
but they have
adapted well to
life in the USA.
Photo by Tom
Berg.”
by Tom Berg
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