Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public domain
Hunters will soon be allowed to kill mute swans as part of an effort to eliminate “destructive and non-native” species statewide, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Starting Jan. 1, anyone with a valid hunting license will be able to kill invasive waterfowl at any time, according to a news release from the agency. Landowners and renters can also kill mute swans at any time without a permit or hunting license.
The move was authorized by new state law, which expires Jan. 1, 2031.
Mute swans were first found in the Suisun and Napa marshes during the 2007 waterfowl breeding population survey, according to the Fish and Wildlife release. California’s population has since grown to 6,900 birds, classified as “restricted and nuisance species that are illegal to import, transport or possess.”
A mute swan is less vocal than other swan species, but not completely silent, and is present year-round. They have also not been protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act since their introduction to North America in the mid-1800s.
The species is considered territorial and does not mix well with other wintering birds, according to Fish and Wildlife. They also feed primarily on submerged aquatic vegetation, which is limited in California and necessary for sensitive native species.
Fish and Wildlife also allows two other invasive non-game birds – the English sparrow and the European starling – to be killed by licensed hunters, according to the release.
2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Quote: ‘Destructive’ swans in the crosshairs as California allows hunting (2025, October 24) retrieved October 24, 2025 from https://phys.org/news/2025-10-destructive-swans-crosshairs-california.html
This document is subject to copyright. Except for fair use for private study or research purposes, no part may be reproduced without written permission. The content is provided for informational purposes only.
