Black Swan

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Anseriformes

Family

Anatidae

Genus

Cygnus

SPECIES

Cygnus atratus

Population size

500,000

Life Span

40 yrs

TOP SPEED

80 km/h

WEIGHT

3.7-9 kg

LENGTH

110-142 cm

WINGSPAN

1.6-2 m

One of only three swan species that inhabit the southern hemisphere, the large Black swan is an unmistakable water bird. 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, having 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 a longer and straighter beak. Juvenile black swans are grayish-brown with lighter-edged feathers.

Diurnal

Herbivore

Folivore

Terrestrial

Semiaquatic

Monogamy

Social

Distibution

Black swans are natives of Australia, including Tasmania, and mainly occur in Australias south-eastern and south-western wetlands. In addition, there is an introduced population of black swans in New Zealand and Japan. Black swans inhabit rivers, lakes, and swampland in water that is fresh, salt 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.

Geography

Continents

Oceania

Countries

Australia, New Zealand

Biome

Lakes

Rivers

Climate zones

Temperate

Tropical

Dry\Desert

Black Swans off Canton Beach, Tuggerah Lake

Habits and Lifestyle

Black swans may be found on their own but they also often form loose groups consisting of several hundred or sometimes thousands of birds. They usually move in flocks, sometimes nest in colonies and are the least territorial of swan species. When food is scarce they are nomadic but otherwise they are sedentary. They travel at night and feed at dusk, but most of their activity is during the daytime. They are strong fliers, travelling together in a line or V shape, beating their wings slowly, which makes whistling noises. On the water as well as in flight, black swans make a range of high-pitched, musical, bugling, baying or trumpeting calls. They have also been heard to make a variety of softer crooning notes. If disturbed while nesting they tend to make a whistling sound.

Group name

bevy, bank, herd, team, wedge, flight

Lifestyle

Terrestrial, Semiaquatic

Diet and Nutrition

Black swans are herbivorous, feeding on vegetation both in the water or in pastures or when on farm land. Common aquatic plants they feed on include algae, typha, potamogeton, myriophyllum and ruppia. Occasionally they will eat insects.

Diet Herbivore, Folivore

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR

Monogamy

REPRODUCTION SEASON

February-September

INCUBATION PERIOD

35-48 days

INDEPENDENT AGE

9 months

FEMALE NAME

pen

MALE NAME

cob

BABY NAME

cygnet, flapper

BABY CARRYING

5-6 eggs

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. Usually the female swan makes a nest from sticks, debris and dead leaves into a mound floating on the water. 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, though they are brooded 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 sexual maturity within 18 to 36 months.

Population Trend

Stable

POPULATION STATUS

Least concern (LC)

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Population

Population 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.

Population number

According to Wikipedia, the current global population of the Black swan is estimated to be up to 500,000 birds. The numbers of this species are stable today and it is classified as least concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

Ecological niche

Black swans are important in their ecosystem, as they affect species populations which they consume, and as a food source for their natural predators.

Fun Facts for Kids

The meaning of the black swans scientific name is a swan attired in black, this referring to its almost entirely black plumage.
A big group of black swans on the ground is called a bank, but when in flight the group is called a wedge.
The black swan swims with only one leg, tucking up the other above its tail. This may be because the swan can change direction more easily when swimming, if it needs to escape from a predator or to move quickly to get to food.
A black swan has the longest neck, relative to its size of all swan species.
A black swans is the official bird of Western Australia and is featured on the flag of this state and in its coat of arms.
Before European explorers reached Australia, it was thought that only white swans existed. Antounie Caen, a Dutch mariner, was the first European to see the incredible sight of Australian black swans in 1636 in Shark Bay.

Black Swan

Photos with Black Swan