Mute Swans
Mute swans (Cygnus olor) were introduced to North America from Eurasia during the late 1800s and have since increased to over 14,000 birds in the Atlantic Flyway. Unlike the native tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus), mute swans inhabit the Chesapeake Bay year round. Grazing by the swans on the underwater grasses during their growing season negatively impacts the present submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) restoration efforts in the Bay. They also have aggressive interaction (i.e. attacking, injuring or killing) and competition for nesting habitat with native waterfowl.
Viewer Tip: Check out the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Bay Field Guide to learn how to distinguish between the native tundra swan and the mute swan. The guide will also help you identify various types of SAV.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
This information is provided by COSEE Coastal Trends. Learn more at www.coseecoastaltrends.net.
(Sources: Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) in the Chesapeake Bay: A Bay-Wide Management Plan Prepared by: The Chesapeake Bay Mute Swan Working Group June 2004; Tatu K.S. & et al (2007) Mute Swans’ Impact on Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in Chesapeake Bay. Journal of Wildlife Management 71(5):1431-1439; Chesapeake Bay Program, Bay Field Guide, http://www.chesapeakebay.net/bfg_birds.aspx?menuitem=14339)
