Australian Black Swan
(Cygnus Atratus)
Photographed at
Flamingo Hotel Aviary, Las Vegas, NV Aug 2010
These swans are native to most of
Australia, including Tasmania. Introduced populations are thriving in New
Zealand and there are some free-living birds in Sweden.
The Blacks are the most social of the
swans and during the breeding season will often nest in loose colonies. Most
other swans will not tolerate other pairs anywhere near their nests.
Their greyish-black plumage is
interrupted only by the white flight feathers. The parents often carry the
young cygnets on their backs when they are swimming.
The common name ‘Swan’ is a gender
neutral term, but ‘cob’ for a male and ‘pen’ for a female are also used, as is
‘cygnet’ for the young.
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