Managing conflicts with migratory birds

Management and population control of Canada Geese and Cackling Geese in southern Canada

Many Canadians appreciate Canada and Cackling Geese. However, these geese are involved in conflicts with people, particularly in urban areas. Cackling Geese may cause damage during their spring and fall migration. Canada Geese may remain throughout the nesting season, and in some areas, throughout the winter.

Conflicts between humans and geese are on the rise as:

• nesting populations in temperate regions grow in size
• they expand their distribution across the country

Concerned by this issue, we have:

• softened hunting regulations in most areas across Canada, resulting in increased harvest of geese by hunters
• developed a handbook on management techniques for Canada Geese and Cackling Geese

The handbook provides:

• preventive and deterrent techniques for use in problematic areas
• management tools for which permits are required
• contact information for users to obtain advice and necessary permits

Note that permit holders must follow best practices guidelines.

Related links

• Handbook for Canada and Cackling Geese: Management and Population Control in Southern Canada
• Best practices for permit holders
  • destroying eggs or preventing hatching
  • capturing, transporting and caring for relocated Canada Geese
  • killing birds and disposing of carcasses (American Veterinary Medical Association)
• Best practices for developing management plans
• Canada Geese: frequently asked questions

Management and population control of Mute Swans

Mute Swan: A Non-native, invasive species in Canada

The Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is one of three swan species that occur in North America. This bird is not native to the continent and is considered an invasive species outside of Europe and Asia. Mute Swans were introduced in Canada in the 1870s when many escaped captivity or were intentionally released into the wild. These birds occur in large numbers in some areas.

Populations are currently located:

• along the U.S. Atlantic coast
• in the lower Great Lakes region of Ontario and the U.S.
• in southern British Columbia

In Ontario, Mute Swan numbers and distribution have increased greatly since the mid-1980s, primarily along the shorelines and within the marshes of lakes Ontario, Erie and St. Clair. The habitat of Mute Swans has also expanded to southern Ontario waters.

In British Columbia, relatively small numbers of Mute Swans occur mostly on southern Vancouver Island and the Fraser River delta. Their numbers have generally decreased since the mid-1980s in this region.

Unless control measures are expanded, these trends will likely continue until the population occupies all available habitat. Increased numbers and distribution will increase the risks that this species poses to:

• native wildlife
• wetland habitats
• the Canadian public

Mute Swan populations in Canada

Figure 1. Mute Swan population in Ontario from the Midsummer Mute Swan survey.

Figure 2. Mute Swan population in British Columbia from the Christmas Bird Count.

Mute Swan facts and ecology

The Mute Swan is a large bird that:

• weighs between 11 kilograms (kg) and 19 kg
• can live to be 10 to 20 years old or more
• has few natural predators

In Canada, these birds:

• are present during spring, summer and fall
• remain during winter if weather permits
• make short-distance seasonal movements, if necessary

Pairs nest soon after ice thaw, typically between March and May, on shorelines, islands or peninsulas. Each year, couples:

• lay one clutch of five to eight eggs
• raise young in shallow marshes of lakes and rivers in rural and urban areas
• return to the same breeding locations if successful the year before
• are very aggressive in defense of breeding and brood-rearing territory between March and August

Native swans of Canada

The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is the largest native swan in Canada. They recently came back from the brink of extinction, and their now self-sustaining populations have steadily increased over the past several decades. The growing number of Mute Swans threatens Trumpeter Swan population in areas where both species occur in southern Canada.

The Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) is the smallest but most abundant swan in North America. These birds breed in the Arctic and are common in some areas of southern Canada during their annual spring and fall migrations.

How to identify a Mute Swan

In the images below, note these differences between the Mute Swan and native swans:

• the Mute Swan has an orange bill with black knob, compared to the mainly black bills of native species
• the Mute Swan has a “S” shaped neck, compared to the “C” shaped neck of Trumpeter and Tundra Swan

Figure 3. Mute Swan

Figure 4. Trumpeter Swan

Figure 5. Tundra Swan

Risk to native wildlife

The Mute Swan is a risk to the native wildlife in wetland habitats due to:

• defensive behaviors such as threat postures, pecking and even physical attacks
• crossbreeding with other North American swans, especially the Trumpeter Swans, which could jeopardize the genetic integrity of native species

Risk to wetland habitat

The presence of the Mute Swan is a risk to wetland habitats because of their food needs and abundance.

• When foraging, Mute Swans can uproot entire plants, which has the effect of:
  • reducing food quantities for native wildlife
  • damaging or seriously modifying wetland ecosystems
• One bird can eat up to 4 kg of aquatic plants each day
• The 4 000 Mute Swans living in the lower Great Lakes region of Ontario can eat up to 48 000 kg of plants in a year

Risk to the public

The Mute Swan poses risks to the Canadian public.

• As Mute Swans become more abundant and widespread, conflicts with people will increase
• Mute Swans are very large and powerful birds capable of aggression and causing serious injury to people and pets
• Entering their territories or attempting to feed them can lead to attacks on land or on water

How you can help

• Do not encourage swans to use an area by providing them with food or nesting materials
• Do not allow captive-reared Mute Swans to escape into the wild
• Do not approach swans during the breeding or brood-rearing seasons
• Obtain a permit if you need to remove Mute Swans or their eggs from your property
• Contact us for more information regarding permits

Management of conflict issues with colonial waterbirds in Canada

Colonial waterbirds are a highly valued natural resource for many Canadians. However, they can be involved in conflicts with people, particularly when they are present in urban areas.

To help people dealing with conflict issues with colonial waterbirds, we have developed a handbook about managing conflict issues with colonial waterbirds.

Colonial waterbirds include:

• gulls
• terns
• herons
• egrets

• marinas
• aquaculture facilities
• landfill sites
• urban parks
• school grounds
• fast food restaurants
• parking lots
• airports
• residential properties
• large flat roofs, especially those near wetlands and bodies of water

The handbook provides:

• general information about colonial waterbirds
• preventive and deterrent techniques for use in problematic areas
• a list of actions that can be taken by landowners to address conflict issues with colonial waterbirds
• contact information for users to obtain advice and necessary permits

Note that permit holders must follow best practice guidelines.

Identification guide to five common gulls of eastern Canada

To help people dealing with conflict issues with colonial waterbirds in eastern Canada,   we have developed an identification guide to five common gulls of eastern Canada. This guide provides information on how to identify five species that can be found in the area throughout the year.