Swans

The Black swan (Cygnus atratus) is a large unmistakable waterbird, a species of swan. It is one of only three swan species that inhabit the southern hemisphere. The Black swan was introduced to various countries as an ornamental bird in the 1800s but has managed to escape and form stable populations. It is a popular bird in zoological gardens and bird collections, and escapees are sometimes seen outside their natural range. The body of an adult Black swan is mostly black, except for its broad white wing tips, visible in flight. Its bill is bright red, has a pale tip and bar, and its feet and legs are grayish black. Its neck is long (the longest neck amongst swans, relative to its size) and it is curved into an "S"-shape. The males are slightly bigger than the females and have longer and straighter beaks. Juvenile Black swans are grayish brown with lighter-edged feathers.

General Information:

Common Name:Black Swan
Scientific Name:Cygnus atratus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Genus:Cygnus

Description

The Black swan (Cygnus atratus) is a large unmistakable waterbird, a species of swan. It is one of only three swan species that inhabit the southern hemisphere. The Black swan was introduced to various countries as an ornamental bird in the 1800s but has managed to escape and form stable populations. It is a popular bird in zoological gardens and bird collections, and escapees are sometimes seen outside their natural range. The body of an adult Black swan is mostly black, except for its broad white wing tips, visible in flight. Its bill is bright red, has a pale tip and bar, and its feet and legs are grayish black. Its neck is long (the longest neck amongst swans, relative to its size) and it is curved into an "S"-shape. The males are slightly bigger than the females and have longer and straighter beaks. Juvenile Black swans are grayish brown with lighter-edged feathers.

Distribution

Black swans are natives of Australia, including Tasmania, and mainly occur in Australia's south-eastern and south-western wetlands.

Habitat

Black swans inhabit rivers, lakes, and swampland in water that is fresh, salty, or brackish. They prefer habitats that have aquatic vegetation but sometimes live in terrestrial areas like flooded fields or dry pastures when food is scarce.

Mating Habits

Black swans are monogamous and often have the same mate for life. They are territorial and remain in solitary pairs during mating but occasionally mate in colonies. February through September is the breeding season. She lays 5 to 6 eggs, one day apart. Incubation starts once all the eggs are laid and lasts 35 to 48 days. Males help with incubation. The cygnets are precocial and can swim and feed soon after hatching; however, they brood in the nest after hatching for a period of 2 to 3 weeks. They fledge between 150 to 170 days old. Black swans can fly at about 6 months old and stay with their family group for about 9 months. They reach reproductive maturity within 18 to 36 months.

Diet

Black swans are herbivores (folivores), feeding on vegetation both in the water or in pastures, or when on farmland. Common aquatic plants they feed on include algae, leaves of reedmace, and stonewort. Occasionally they will eat insects.

Threats

There are no major threats to Black swans, although brief hunting seasons have been instigated in some parts of their range due to crop damage caused by this bird.

IUCN Status

Least Concern