Mute Swan - Cygnus olor
Florida's Nonnative Wildlife. Species detail.
First year: 1967
Extirpated year:
Established status: Species are
present but not confirmed to be breeding. Population persists only
with repeated introductions and/or escapes of individuals.
Estimated Florida range: 1 county
At least 10 years, 9 counties Not reported
breeding
Statewide trend: Unknown
status
Threats to natives: The mute
swan is a large bird and has raised some concerns about its impacts
on native species. Overgrazing aquatic vegetation, displacing
native waterfowl, and trampling of nests and nestlings of native
birds are all a concern.
Species Account: Native to
Eurasia, where it has been bred aviculturally since Greek times,
and most free-flying populations exist in domestic situations. In
Florida, Mute Swans are introduced on public or private lakes by
municipalities, property owner associations, and golf courses,
where they sometimes establish a local, feral population. It
primarily feeds on aquatic vegetation and occasionally on grain,
terrestrial grasses, and aquatic inverebrates (Johnsgard 1978).
Habitats: Lake
| County |
First Year |
Extirpated Year |
Breeding status |
Notes |
| Bay |
1992 |
|
Not reported breeding |
|
| Brevard |
1960's |
|
Not reported breeding |
|
| Dade |
1960's |
|
Not reported breeding |
|
| DeSoto |
1960's |
|
Not reported breeding |
|
| Hillsborough |
1960's |
|
Not reported breeding |
Probable breeding reported
(Florida BBA 1986-91). |
| Martin |
1960's |
|
Not reported breeding |
|
| Orange |
1960's |
|
Not reported breeding |
|
| Palm Beach |
1960's |
|
Not reported breeding |
|
| Pinellas |
1960's |
|
Not reported breeding |
|
| Polk |
1957 |
|
At least 10 years |
A population of ca. 80 birds
is maintained by the City of
Lakeland (Florida BBA 1986-91) |
References
Ciaranca, M. A., C. C. Allin, and G. S. Jones.
1997. Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) In Birds of North America, No. 273
(A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.) The Birds of North America, Inc,
Philadelphia, PA.
Johnsgard, P. A. 1978. Ducks, geese, and swans of
the world. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Robertson, W. B., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992.
Florida bird species: an annotated list. Florida Ornithological
Society, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The
birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville,
Florida, USA.
Back to Nonnative
Birds
Persons with Disabilities