Mute Swan Cygnus olor (Gmelin, 1789)Non-native  -  Invasive    Synonyms: MUSW.
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Chordata   >   Class Aves   >   Order Anseriformes   >   Family Anatidae   >   Genus Cygnus   

Status:

Mute Swans are non-native and generally considered a threat to local ecosystems. The species was recently quite common in Maryland, but control efforts in recent years have been effective.

Description:

In adults, note pinkish orange bill and distinctive basal knob.

Relationships:

Mute Swans are aggressive toward other waterfowl species and damage underwater vegetation during feeding (they feed by pulling grasses up by the roots).

There are 202 records in the project database.

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A Mute Swan at Great Marsh Park in Cambridge, Maryland (2/10/2008). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

A Mute Swan in Calvert Co., Maryland (6/18/2006). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Mute Swan in Dorchester Co., Maryland (2/10/2008). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

A Mute Swan in Calvert Co., Maryland (1/8/2019). Photo by Jim Stasz. (MBP list)

An immature Mute Swan in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (11/24/2011). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

A Mute Swan in Harford Co., Maryland (2/26/2017). Photo by Matthew Addicks. (MBP list)

A Mute Swan cygnet in Calvert Co., Maryland (6/18/2006). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

A Mute Swan in Garrett Co., Maryland (1/2/2016). Photo by Jim Stasz. (MBP list)

A Mute Swan in Washington Co., Maryland (12/28/2019). Photo by Monica Pileggi. (MBP list)

A female Mute Swan on nest in Howard Co., Maryland (6/12/1983). Photo by Robert Solem. (MBP list)

A male Mute Swan defending its nest in Howard Co., Maryland (6/12/1983). Photo by Robert Solem. (MBP list)

Mute Swans in Cecil Co., Maryland (8/30/2022). (c) Jonathan Irons, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jonathan Irons. (MBP list)

A Mute Swan in Harford Co., Maryland (3/25/2019). Photo by Matthew Addicks. (MBP list)

A Mute Swan in Baltimore Co., Maryland (6/2/2020). Photo by J Patrick Brooks. (MBP list)


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MBP marks as "Invasive" any taxon listed in the Maryland Invasive Species Council (MISC) list of Invasive Species of Concern in Maryland. You can read their criteria and review the lists here: https://mdinvasives.org/species-of-concern/.