Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is in the Ducks, Geese, and Swans family (Anatidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 32,087 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Mute Swan: observations by month (U.S.)
About Mute Swan
The mute swan (Cygnus olor) is a species of swan and a member of the waterfowl family Anatidae. It is native to much of Eurasia, and (as a rare winter visitor) the far north of Africa. It is an introduced species in North America, Australasia and southern Africa. The name 'mute' derives from it being less vocal than other swan species. Measuring 125 to 170 cm (49 to 67 in) in length, this large swan is wholly white...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Mute Swan by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 7,012 | April | Mar–Feb |
| New York | 5,368 | April | Mar–Feb |
| California | 3,381 | May | Apr–Mar |
| Michigan | 3,251 | May | Feb–Nov |
| New Jersey | 2,668 | October | Jan–Nov |
| Illinois | 1,470 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Pennsylvania | 1,247 | April | Feb–Jun |
| Ohio | 981 | March | Aug–Jun |
| Texas | 891 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Connecticut | 781 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Indiana | 738 | April | Jan–Nov |
| Rhode Island | 733 | April | Feb–Dec |
| Delaware | 485 | May | Feb–Oct |
| Florida | 414 | January | Dec–Nov |
| North Carolina | 351 | February | Oct–Aug |
| Virginia | 290 | May | Apr–Mar |
| Louisiana | 262 | April | Sep–May |
| South Carolina | 199 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Maryland | 168 | January | Dec–Nov |
| Missouri | 159 | April | Oct–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 121 | May | Jan–Sep |
| Georgia | 108 | September | Sep–Nov |
| Idaho | 104 | April | Dec–Jul |
| Utah | 104 | April | Jan–May |
| Minnesota | 86 | March | Mar–May |
| Alabama | 80 | May | Mar–May |
| Nevada | 74 | February | Sep–Jul |
| Kentucky | 64 | January | Jan–Apr |
| Colorado | 57 | June | Nov–Jul |
| Oklahoma | 49 | April | Mar–Jun |
| Oregon | 47 | January | Nov–Feb |
| West Virginia | 46 | February | Feb–Apr |
| Tennessee | 43 | February | Dec–Mar |
| New Hampshire | 36 | April | Mar–May |
| Iowa | 33 | May | Mar–Jun |
| Kansas | 28 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Nebraska | 27 | May | Apr–May |
| Washington | 23 | June | Apr–Jun |
| Vermont | 22 | February | Feb–Feb |
| South Dakota | 16 | December | Nov–Dec |
| Arizona | 15 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Maine | 12 | June | May–Dec |
| New Mexico | 12 | March | Jan–Jul |
| Arkansas | 11 | March | Jan–Jul |
| Mississippi | 9 | February | Jan–Apr |
| District of Columbia | 5 | May | May–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)
Mallard
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Bufflehead
American Wigeon
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Duck
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Mute Swan?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to February.
Where is Mute Swan most often seen?
The most observations come from Massachusetts, New York, California.