Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society  

MOMENTS FROM MARS Winter Visitors – Trumpeter Swans ( Cygnus Buccinator )

Each year hundreds of swans migrate to their winter grounds in the Comox Valley. They can be easily spotted in the Valley especially in the Comox Bay Farmlands, as they forage on ploughed over root and grain crops, communicating with each other by "head bobbing". Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society plays an important part in ensuring their safety, rescuing and rehabilitating those who have been injured during or after migration.

So far this season we have cared for three juveniles in our centre, two being weak from lack of food ( a swan consumes 4 kgs a day ) , the third from a foot injury. Swan rehabilitation is very high maintenance for our volunteers, housing and food must closely resemble those found in their natural habitat. Fortunately most of these birds will recover, usually within a week or two, and be reunited with other swans near their rescue location. Broken wings and bones pose a much greater challenge needing treatment from our local veterinarians.

What makes these swans such a challenge? They are the worlds’ largest swans’, adults weigh between 9.6 – 11.9 kilos with a 2.5 meter wing span. Trumpeter swans mate for life and can live for up to 30 years. Adults have distinctive white plumage, with black feet and bills, juveniles are smaller their feathers are gray, feet are a muddy yellow, and bills pink, ( adult coloration is present after the first year ). Although they are seen locally in large social flocks, when nesting they are aggressively territorial, each pair commanding many acres of territory. Families can be seen locally, successful pairs may have up to six offspring.

M.A.R.S. along with the Trumpeter Swan Management Program are working hard to protect these magnificent birds, now listed as "vulnerable" in B.C. due to habitat loss and pollution of feeding grounds. For further info contact us at www.wingtips.org www.trumpeterswansociety.org or 337-2021. Volunteers and donations are always needed and welcome.

Written by – Sandy Fairfield Education Coordinator for M.A.R.S.