Food habits of mute swans in the Chesapeake Bay
PDF on file: See 6275_Perry.pdf
Edited by: Matthew C. Perry
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Abstract
Unlike the tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus) that migrate to the Bay for the winter, the mute swan (Cygnus olor) is a year long resident and therefore has raised concerns among research managers over reports of conflicts with nesting native water birds and the consumption of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). Although data on the reduction of SAV by nesting mute swans and their offspring during the spring and summer are limited, food-habits data show that mute swans rely heavily on SAV during these months. Analyses of the gullet and gizzard of mute swans indicate that widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) and eelgrass (Zostera marina) were the most important food items to mute swans during the winter and spring. Other organisms were eaten by mute swans, but represent small percentages of food. Corn (Zea mays) fed to the swans by Bay residents in late winter probably supplements their limited vegetative food resources at that time of year.
Suggested Citation
Perry, M., Osenton, P., and Lohnes, E., 2004, Food habits of mute swans in the Chesapeake Bay, chap. of Mute swans and their Chesapeake Bay habitats: proceedings of a symposium, p. 31-36.
| Publication type | Book chapter |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Book Chapter |
| Title | Food habits of mute swans in the Chesapeake Bay |
| Year Published | 2004 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | vii, 59 |
| Larger Work Type | Book |
| Larger Work Subtype | Other Government Series |
| Larger Work Title | Mute swans and their Chesapeake Bay habitats: proceedings of a symposium |
| First page | 31 |
| Last page | 36 |