Wednesday Wings: Mute Swan

Mute swan photo taken Feb 2010 in Florida.

The Mute Swan, a native of Eurasia, was introduced to this continent from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s. Due to their graceful appearance on water, these swans were imported to many areas of North America as an adornment to city parks and large estates. All North American Mute Swan populations originated from the release or escape of individuals from these early captive flocks.

The largest concentration of Mute Swans now occurs along the Atlantic Coast from Maine to South Carolina. Smaller flocks occur in the Great Lakes region and southern British Columbia.

Mute Swans in North America are second in size only to the native Trumpeter Swans. Their wingspan reaches 6.5-7.5 feet (2-2.3 m), and they can weigh up to 32 lbs (14.5 kg).

Called a domestic swan in England, this species is the Royal Swan, an Old World species that has been semi-domesticated in Europe for the last 1000 yrs.

Their population in North America has increased significantly since 1970 and shows few signs of slowing. While these swans are protected in England, their expansion on this continent has begun to pose significant concerns to native wildlife. These birds are aggressive, and have been known to drive off Common loons, Canada geese and Trumpeter swans.