Our March Critter: an Exotic Mystery

text by Connie Kent, photos by Fran Yates

On Wednesday 16 February, Harlan Barry sighted a rare black swan on the Quail Point golf course pond near the eighth hole. The bird was only here one day, but the RVM rare bird hot line was buzzing with excitement, and several of our best cameras recorded the visitor. New resident Robert Mumby posted a photo on myRVM. Here is the bird in all his glory!

The black swan is a native of Western Australia, although it has been introduced in other places throughout the world. Here’s what I’ve been able to learn. Wikipedia says, “It is a popular bird in zoological gardens and bird collections.” It is highly nomadic, with “no set migratory pattern, but rather opportunistic responses to either rainfall or drought.”

Wildlife Safari, in Winston OR, has two black swans, but they are unable to fly and are accounted for. Replying to an inquiry from Sharon Troxel, Dan Brands, Wildlife Safari curator, echoed Wikipedia’s idea of escapees: “They are a common animal on many farms so it is probably a bird from the local area.”

In response to a post on Fran Yates’ Facebook page, RVM resident Sandy Jilton Rogers, an experienced Klamath Bird Observatory volunteer, wondered if there was also a mate, since Black Swans are monogamous. She added, “They do migrate through Oregon. And 5 of them resided in Newport Beach about 18 years ago.”

RVM resident Jean Ekerson, chiming in from Maui, recalls that once upon a time, many years ago, there was a pair of black swans that someone donated up in Lithia Park pool. She added, “Swans mate for life and it is very unusual, and sad to see one alone.” 

A female black swan named Belladonna was stolen from the Enchanted Farm in Newburg, OR, in 2019. You can see a short video of that report on KGW-TV.  

As our birding group investigated further, Anne Newins found a reference in Wikipedia to one being reported in the Portland area on Jan. 22, 2022. Could the same bird have found its way here? And where was he headed?