Coyote, Canis latrans, depredation of a Mute Swan, Cygnus olor, nest

A Coyote (Canis latrans) was observed interacting with a pair of nesting Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) on four different occasions over a three day period. The Coyote consumed two eggs, one broken egg was removed by the nesting swans, and the fate of the fourth egg was unknown. On the third day of interactions, the swans abandoned their nest and were observed leafing on an adjacent beach. Because of continued expansion of both Mute Swan and Coyote populations over the past 40 years, their ranges now overlap. Coyotes can have an effect on individual nesting pairs, but their potential effects on the expanding swan population are unknown.