Summary
- Natural history: An Old World species introduced to ornamental ponds in the mid-1800s, Mute Swans escaped captivity to form feral coastal and inland populations from Virginia to Lake Ontario. Because they aggressively outcompete native waterfowl and overgraze aquatic vegetation, Vermont has restricted captive birds since 2002 to prevent a wild population from becoming established.
- Status in VT: Reported more than 50 times since 1985 and annually since 1993. Breeding documented in 1993 at Lake Arrowhead in Franklin County.
- Data from other research: No additional data for VT.
- Conservation status: State rank: Not ranked in VT.
- Other atlases: NY: 87%; MD: 216%; PA: 361%; ON: sig. increase.
- VT’s role in North American range: VT is disjunct from the core of the range.
- Causes of change since first Atlas: No change.
- Management/Monitoring recommendations: Control of captive populations through: prohibition of establishment of wild populations, requirement that captive birds be pinioned, and prohibition of sale and importation.
Population Trends
graph coming
First Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (1976-1981)
coming
Second Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (2003 – 2007)
Change in Distribution
coming
Links
