Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Key Identification Features
Description
Mute swans are found commonly in the lower parts of New York, such as the Hudson Valley and Long Island. These are the largest birds in the state, reaching 25 pounds and a wingspan of up to 7 feet. As waterfowl, they are usually spotted on or near waterways. The adults are all white with a black fleshy knob above an orange bill. Juveniles are either grey, or white. Their necks are long and thin. They consume submerged aquatic plants by pulling the roots out of the substrate. This bird does not make much noise, hence the name, however they do hiss, or snort to communicate, especially when feeling threatened.
Native Range
Mute Swans are native to Europe. People brought them to the U.S. for aesthetic reasons. They were originally kept by breeders and purchased for estate ponds in the late 1800s.
Habitat and Dispersion
Mute Swans live in aquatic habitats such as wetlands, ponds, lakes, rivers, or bays. They thrive in environments with abundant aquatic vegetation as their food source. They also utilize stands of cattails or phragmites as nesting material in March or April. This swan species reproduces between the ages of 2 to 5 years old and produces about 6 eggs per clutch. The clutch can reach up to 11 eggs. The babies are hatched in early June.
Best Management Practices
Control methods in New York are currently limited to survey and research efforts to better understand the nesting and population patterns of the Mute Swan. These efforts will help create plans for slowing the spread and impacts of the swans. Other states allow for stronger management action, such as euthanasia, but the Mute Swan is currently protected in New York state.