| The Mute Swan poses a bit of a dilemma for the serious bird-lover. On the one hand, it is certainly quite beautiful, but on the other hand, it was introduced to North America, from Europe, for ornamental purposes, and it can be quite destructive. They can be quite aggressive to native waterfowl (and occasionally, people), and in Brooklyn's Prospect Park one day I watched one clear vegetation (presumably for a nest) like an elephant charging through the forest! |
| The effect of Mute Swans on native fauna and flora is further complicated by the misguided efforts of animal rights groups, who have handicapped state and local attempts to control the Mute Swan population, a blind application of a moral standard that can only serve to hurt native waterfowl populations. The non-native, but handsome, Mute Swan pictured here was filmed in Van Cortlandt Park, The Bronx, New York, in January of 2004. |
| Copyright© Ken Allaire. All rights reserved. Reproduction, modification, or republication of the images or content contained herein without authorization for any purpose or to produce any product is a violation of the copyright herein and is strictly prohibited. |