As We Visit and Work with Swans,
We have Observed how Visual they are.
They are Creatures of Habit.
We take their Vegetable and Treats to their Ponds
in White Grocery Bags.          

“THE WHITE BAG EFFECT”

The Swans will Follow “The White Bags.”     

When the Swans see “The WHITE BAGS” from a Distance
They Head Toward Us for their Treats and to Visit with Us.
 Click Images to Enlarge

We would get Discard Vegetables from a Local Restaurant Kitchen.
I Sorted the Lettuce Greens into the White Plastic Grocery Store Bags.
“The White Bag Effect” is Fun !
Here they Come !

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“The White Bags” help us Develop Trust.
Sitting Quietly with “The White Bag” Visible.The Swans Know there are Yummy Greens in “The White Bags.”
The Swans May NOT Recognize our Clothing.. but Always “The White Bags.”

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WE NEVER TAKE TWIST TIES or PLASTIC CLOSURES
for BREAD BAGS to the Pond Area.
NO Rubber Bands or Styrofoam..
NO BOTTLE CAPS or SODA TABS.

Anything Foreign that a Swan Swallows will Stay in their Gizzard..
Indigestible.. Obstructive.

BE VERY CAREFUL to Collect any Metal if you are doing any Construction Projects.
WaterFowl will Pick-up and Swallow Screws, Nails, Nuts, Bolts, etc.
SWANs Die from Thing that get Stuck In or Puncture their Throat or Gizzard….
The Term for this is “Hardware Disease.”
Be Careful with Coins, Pennies, Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, etc.
We want the Treats we Bring for the Swans to be Safe.

The Swans see “The White Bags” and Come for their Treats. When the Swans see our Van, they know we have Greens and Treats.
We had the Privilege of Visiting this Mute Swan Family Once a Week.
They All Got to Know there were Yummy Lettuce Greens in “The White Bags.”
There are Yummy SALAD Greens for All.
This Conditioning HELPED when it was Time to Catch the Cygnets.
The WHOLE Swan Family would Routinely Walk into the Catch Fencing.
We Used “The White Bag” Conditioning all Summer.
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One Young Swan was Sitting on the Other Side of this Large Pond.
She did not Come Over when we Stopped to Visit.

I took a White Bag of Greens Out of our Van.
As soon as she Saw “The White Bag,” she Headed Over to Join her Companion Swan.

Other Vehicles that Stopped – Did Not have “The White Bags.”
We had “Victoria” with us for Several Weeks.
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The Ducks, Geese and Swans will Follow Whoever has “The White Bag.”

Swans Follow “The Lettuce Man.”

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Rob became the “Pied Piper of Lettuce.”

DO NOT Take “The White Bags” to Visit Swans
during their Mating and Nesting Time.
“The White Bags” will cause the Male Swans to CHASE You.
Try to Use the Beige or Grey Bags.  

Their Hormonal Aggressive Behavior is Triggered by WHITE. 

Once Nesting Season is Over – “The White Bags” are OK Again.
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From Way Across the Lawn – “The White Bags” are Visible.

The Best Part of my Day is Spent with the Swans.  

“It is a Good Day when I have Swan Poop on my Shoes.” 
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Some Swan Cygnets Would Get VERY Excited for the Lettuce.
I had to be Careful they were NOT Pulling “The White Bags” Apart.
Most Swans and Cygnets LOVE Lettuce.

We did “Lettuce Drops” with any Extra Lettuce we get.
We Enjoy Visiting all the Swans and Cygnets we Live Near.

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This Information is a Work in Progress…..
As I learn more I will add to this information..
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Compiled by (C) L.M.Sweger         UpDated  June 2021
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