Nature Essays

Introduced into Stanley Park many decades ago, the mute swan (Cygnus olor) is a popular bird to watch in Lost Lagoon. These birds make up for a lack of colourful plumage by spreading their brilliant white feathers in a variety of fanlike displays.

Usually, this iconic bird needs no identification, however, I was asked once by a young park visitor if that big white goose was a “Canadian goose” that was getting ready for the winter. I commended the child for her good guess, but no, that was in fact a beautiful swan.

As an introduced species, these swans are pinioned to prevent flight out of Stanley Park and potential cross breeding with native species such as the trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator). A group of local volunteers keep watch on the Stanley Park swans and report on activities, both happy and sad, at www.stanley-park-swans.com/