AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Black Swan G Little © Australian Museum



The Black Swan is the only entirely black-coloured swan in the world

Identification
In adult Black Swans the body is mostly black, with the exception of the broad white wing tips which are visible in flight. The bill is a deep orange-red, paler at the tip, with a distinct narrow white band towards the end. Younger birds are much greyer in colour, and have black wing tips. Adult females are smaller than the males.

Size range
120 cm to 142 cm

Distribution
Black Swans are found throughout Australia with the exception of Cape York Peninsula, and are more common in the south. The Black Swan has been introduced into several countries, including New Zealand, where it is now common, and is a vagrant to New Guinea.

Habitat
Black Swans prefer larger salt, brackish or fresh waterways and permanent wetlands, requiring 40 m or more of clear water to take off. Outside the breeding season, Black Swans travel quite large distances. Birds fly at night and rest during the day with other swans.

Feeding and Diet
The Black Swan is a vegetarian. Food consists of algae and weeds, which the bird obtains by plunging its long neck into water up to 1 m deep. Occasionally birds will graze on land, but they are clumsy walkers.

Life cycle
Black Swans form isolated pairs or small colonies in shallow wetlands. They pair for life, with both adults raising one brood per season. Eggs are laid in an untidy nest made of reeds and grasses. The nest is placed either on a small island or floated in deeper water. The chicks (cygnets) are covered in grey down and are able to swim and feed themselves as soon as they hatch.

Breeding season: February to May in the north; June to September in the south.
Clutch size: Up to 10

Classification
Species:atratus
Genus:Cygnus
Family:Anatidae
Order:Anseriformes
Class:Aves
Phylum:Chordata
Kingdom:Animalia

All information courteous of the © Australian Museum
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Black-Swan/
Posted in accordance with non commercial use in pursuit of educational purposes

Excellent George and thanks to the Australian Museum

I will add it to the Swan Index

Ooooooo! Purty! GeorgeDK thanks for posting

His name is George DK

I love the swans but don't have the room or the knowledge to keep them but love reading up about them

Excellent thanks George

All credit to the museum and their great work

I am looking for a young pair of black swans if you have a pair available?

There was some on farmstock the other day

Thanks I will go bing it and have a look at that web site not heard of it before