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How can you be sure the collars are safe for black swans?

By On May 13, 2015 · Leave a Comment

We evaluated the safety of swan collars very carefully before deciding to fit them to black swans. We recently published the results of a study comparing the behaviour of collared and non-collared black swans (reference below). We found no difference in the proportion of time the birds spent foraging or engaged in other non-foraging behaviours, such as preening. We also compared the weights of collared and non-collared birds, where again there was no difference. At this stage therefore, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that the collars cause the birds distress, injury or other harm.

Guay, P-J. & Mulder, R.A. (2009). Do neck collars affect the behaviour and condition of black swans (Cygnus atratus)? Emu 109 (3): 248-251.

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