Ear to the Wild: Mute Swans Taking Flight

Mute Swans are the ones you see in so many fairy tales. People started bringing them to North America from Europe around the late 1800s. They must’ve thought they’d add an air of fairy tale romance to parks and gardens. Of course, some escaped and eventually our continent’s wild populations were established. Mute Swans can severely impact native ecosystems. They eat up to 8 pounds of underwater plants a day! This leaves less for native waterfowl, who eat them too. Mute Swans flap their wings and run across the water as they take flight. Once they’re airborne, listen for a faint whistling sound coming from their wings.

Mute Swans taking flight at Shollenberger Park. Thanks for lending an Ear to the Wild. I’m Jack Hines.

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