Mute Swans
Invading Michigan’s
Waters
A growing threat to
native animals,
habitat, and humans
Photo by Jessie Turner
Definitions
Native: species that occur naturally in a given area or
region
Non-Native: species that, due to direct or indirect human
activity, occurs in locations beyond its known historical
or potential natural range. Refers to species from
another continent, region, ecosystem, or habitat.
Invasive: non-native species that become established,
spread widely, and cause environmental or economic
harm or harm to human health
History of Mute Swans
in Michigan
 Non-native and Invasive
 Native to Eurasia
 One pair introduced in Charlevoix
County in 1919
 47 birds by 1949
 A southern flock was later
established in SW Michigan
 15,500 mute swans in 2010
 Numbers increasing rapidly
 All North American mute swans
Photo by Jessie Turner
originated from releases or escapes
Why are Mute Swans a
Problem?
 Threaten humans
 Endanger native wildlife
 Destroy wetland habitat
Photo by Jessie Turner
Threaten Humans
 Show little fear of people
 Known to attack people in both
boats and on shore
 Potentially dangerous conflicts
As mute swan populations
grow, so do conflicts
Nordic Photos/Superstock
Nik Taylor Photography
Endanger Native Wildlife
Mute swans are one of the world’s most aggressive waterfowl
 Very territorial during nesting and raising of young
 Drive out native waterfowl and other wetland bird species from
breeding areas
 Birds at risk include state threatened trumpeter swan and
common loon; native ducks, and Canada geese
 May be worse in areas where wetland loss has reduced suitable
waterfowl breeding habitat
Photo by http://www.thefreequark.com/
Destroy Wetland Habitat
 A single mute swan can
consume 4-8 lbs. of
wetland plants a day
 Sometimes uproot and
destroy plants completely
 Wetland plants are
important in aquatic
ecosystems to provide food
and cover for native birds,
fish, and invertebrates
Photo by Mark Knee
Loss of native wetland
plants is detrimental to
the ecosystem
Michigan’s Swan Species
Photo courtesy of: US Fish &
Wildlife service
Photo byof:
Jessie
Turner
Photo courtesy
stockvault.net
Photo
Photo courtesy
courtesy of:
of: dreamstime.com
National Geographic
Trumpeter Swan
Mute Swan
Tundra Swan
Native
Non-native
Native
Trumpeter Swan
A Native Beauty
 Native to Michigan
 Threatened status
 Mute swans threaten
breeding success
Photo by Jim Ridley
Mute Swan Numbers
Increasing Rapidly
Sauer, J. R., J. E. Hines, J. E. Fallon, K. L. Pardieck, D. J. Ziolkowski, Jr., and W. A. Link. 2011. The North American Breeding Bird Survey,
Results and Analysis 1966 - 2009. Version 3.23.2011 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD
A Growing Problem
 Population growth of about 9-10% annually
 In 10 years, the number of mute swans has nearly tripled
 Population model predicts 19,400-24,200 mute swans by 2015 if
we do nothing
Population
 Michigan has the highest number of mute swans in North America
Year
Mute Swan Population Goals
 Short-term goals (5-year):
 Reduce the mute swan population to zero on DNR lands
 Reduce the statewide mute swan population growth to
zero on all other lands
 Long-term goal (20-year):
 To maintain a spring population less than 2,000 mute
swans throughout Michigan
What is the DNR Doing?
 Began local control activities in the 1960s due to a
growing concern of expanding mute swan numbers
 Issue permits to remove mute swans and/or their nests
and eggs
 Follow Wildlife-Division’s Mute Swan Management and
Control Program Policy and Procedures
 Brought together a Mute Swan Forum
Mute Swan Management Efforts
 Nest/egg destruction
 Removal of birds
 Both public and private lands
Photo by Jessie Turner
Why Remove Adults?
 Population model suggests that removing adults is
most effective for reducing numbers
 Adult survival has greatest impact on population growth
Mortality type
Number destroyed annually to stabilize
population
Nests destroyed
3,798
Eggs killed
18,990
Adults killed
1,485
Mute Swan Authorities
 No protection under federal law
 Not listed in Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act
 Protection removed in 2004 because not native
 Under jurisdiction of states (Public Act 451 of 1994)
by Lori Niedenfuer Cool , Copyright 2007, The Grand Rapids Press. All rights reserved; used with permission.
Mute Swan State Authority
 Wildlife Conservation Order
 Protects mute swans
 Mute swans and their eggs and nests may only be taken under one
of the following situations:
 To stabilize or reduce population levels or prevent establishment of
new populations
 To prevent interference with the establishment, reestablishment, or
reproductive success off native wildlife, threatened/endangered
species, and native vegetation
 To protect public health, safety or welfare
 Mute swans taken shall not be released back into the wild
 Allows for issuance of damage and nuisance animal control permits
 Hunting mute swans is not allowed
Support for Mute Swan
Management
There are many conservation groups that support the
drastic reduction of mute swan numbers




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The National Audubon Society
The Michigan Audubon Society
Ducks Unlimited
The American Bird Conservancy
And many more!
What Can You Do?
 You and your neighbors can help protect Michigan’s natural
resources, including the trumpeter swan, by controlling mute
swans on your lakes and wetlands.
 Call your local DNR field office
 Obtain nest/egg destruction or removal permits
 For sites with multiple landowners, file a petition or resolution
Reaching mute swan goals is only possible with help
from local landowners
Thank you for
helping to protect
our native wildlife
species and
wetland habitat!
For more information visit
Trumpeter Swan
Photo by Bill Rollo
www.michigan.gov/muteswans