The Whistling Swan in the West with Particular Reference to Great Salt Lake Valley, Utah

Abstract

The Whistling Swan (Olor columbianus) has been increasing noticeably in the Pacific flyway through the 11-year period up to 1958. They continued to increase in 1958 and reached a recent high of 49,946 individuals for the Pacific flyway states (minutes of meeting of Pacific Flyway Council, 1958). Paralleling the rise in numbers of Whistling Swans has been a mounting interest in the bird by many groups and individuals. This interest has taken various forms, from purely aesthetic to a deep concern over what effect the increasing swan population will have on other waterfowl; and, further, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has been urged to allow an open hunting season on this species (minutes of meeting of Pacific Flyway Council, 1957). Because of these factors, it was believed that a study of the species might afford a worthy contribution to the literature on this swan.