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Mute Swan Aggressively
Defending its Large Territory
White River Marsh Habitat
Muskegon County, Michigan.
Below: A Mute swan harassing
young Canada Geese. The large Mute chased the panicked geese onto shore. This aggressive behavior was
unrelated to a Mute nesting area or any signets in the area. The
mute was alone and was simply teaching the young geese that they
were unwelcome in the watershed. This behavior imprints on the geese
who will eventually avoid Mutes and as an unfortunate result, avoid
appropriate nesting and feeding areas as adults. The Mutes are not
true wildlife and do not behave in a way that is compatible with
wildlife diversity. The Mutes were originally status symbols for the
wealthy elite as decorations on their estates. They eventually
escaped or were released and are now disrupting the balance among
native species with their interspecies aggression and their
population growth.
(c) 2012 Jerry Grady
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