Mute Swans

      Mute swans are an invasive species that have been present in the Chesapeake Bay area since the 1930s. They are the largest birds that are inhabitants of this area. Mute swans have a lifespan of about 12 years and adult birds have a six feet wing span. They were imported from Eurasia to populate residential ponds and parks. Mute swans are year-round inhabitants in creeks, lakes, rivers inland ponds, and streams. Their population has increased 1,271percent since 1986. They feed throughout the year which does not allow for grass beds to recouperate. 

                                                                      Mute Swan

     Mute swans are a species that threatens waterfowl, crops, underwater grasses, and even humans. When these birds decimate available grasses, they move to feed on and damage agricultural crops. Mute swans are very aggressive and territorial. Their behavior even threatens human and displaces other birds. “Wildlife professionals have many critical and immediate problems to address, including habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, pollution, global climate change, energy development, emerging diseases, and human-wildlife conflict“ (Hutchins 2). 

                                                                   Mute Swans

      Conflicts and court battles with animal rights groups have made it difficult to reduce the population of mute swans. Though saving animal species from being uprooted and/or eliminated is a noble cause, some invasive species must be controlled for the betterment of native ecosystems. It is important that there are conservation methods that control non-native species to prevent the loss of habitat which adversely affects native species. “The consequences for inaction on selected introduced species will be the loss of more native species and alteration of habitats“ (Hutchins 2).

      The mute swan is a beautiful and attractive bird. People enjoy feeding them and these birds supplement their diet by receiving food from others. They give the public the opportunity to get up close to nature. But there is a down side to mute swans, which is an invasive species, inhabiting the areas of native species. Mute swans are ferocious eaters of grasses and crowd out other species by reducing the food supply of other birds including migratory birds. They are aggressive and they displace other bird species. Mute swans are known to be aggressive towards humans and there are two recorded incidences of them causing deaths of human beings. The negative effects mute swans have on the environment, other species, and the lives of humans warrant a concerted effort to control their numbers and prevent further destruction of the ecosystems in which they inhabit.

                                                                    Works Cited

Hutchins, Michael. Non-native Mute Swans Must Go. The Wildlife Society Blog, 14

      May 2009. Web. 17 October 2012.