Hello! We are the beautiful and magnificent Black Swans. We are found only in Australia. Have a look at some important points about us:
- Once upon a time, it was believed only white swans existed but when Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh discovered us in Australia in 1697, it changed many zoologists’ perspectives.
- We are beautiful and majestic birds that can sing! Yes, we can utter bugle-like sounds on water or in flight that has soft musical notes.
- Do you know? We are the swan species that has the longest neck.
- We take care of our young so well. We often let them ride on our backs when we take long trips where we have to go deep into the water.
- You must have seen in pictures or in real where two of our species form a heart shape display. It is actually a stand-off between two males where they display each other their strength.
- Do you know? 1/4th of pairings of our species are homosexual (male-male) and these homosexual males actually form a family group and raise the young.
- In India, there is a myth about swans. It is said that swans can filter water from milk. It is not true, but we do filter food material from impurities and gravel.
- The native Noongar People of South-west Australia call us “Kooldjak” and “Gooldjak”. We are also sometimes referred to as “Maali”.
- We are an iconic bird of Australia. We are a state bird and can be found in state emblem of Western Australia. We also appear in Coat of Arms.
SOME QUICK FACTS ABOUT US:
Our Scientific Name: Cygnus atratus.
Identification: Beautiful, big and black bird with webbed feet and s-shaped long neck.
Our Habitat: water lakes, rivers, and swamps.
Our Range:
Food Habits: Herbivorous; feed mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Breeding Period: June to November.
Number of eggs laid: 4-8 eggs.
Incubation period: 35-40 days.
Lifespan: 10-15 years in wild, 30-40 years in captivity.
IUCN red list status: Least Concern.
CITES: Not Listed.
Indian Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule IV.
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Cygnus
Species: c. atratus
COMPLETE DETAILS ABOUT US FOR ANIMAL ENTHUSIASTS:
We are a beautiful Black Swans. We are large water birds and are one of the subspecies of the swan family.
Black Swans are scientifically called as Cygnus atratus.
HOW WE LOOK:
We are called black swan because of our black feathers that cover most of our body. We do have white feathers which are used for flight. We are 110 cm – 142 cm long and weigh 3.7 kg – 9 kg. Our wingspan is 1.6 m – 2 m.
We have a red colored bill along with greyish-black webbed feet. We have a long neck which is curved in “S” shape.
Males and females of our species look alike. The males of our species are called Cobs and are bigger than the females, which are called Pens. Young ones of our species look like adults.
WE ARE FOUND IN:
We are native birds of Australia. We can be found commonly in Eastern and South-western Australia and near the coastal islands.
We are nomadic and move according to climatic conditions and generally prefer living near water lakes, rivers, and swamps where there are vegetation and nesting material.
WHAT WE EAT:
We are herbivores and we feed in s similar manner to other swan species. We prefer eating aquatic plants and also algae.
Our long neck helps us to dip deep in the water and collect food material with our remaining body being in horizontal position.
OUR REPRODUCTION:
We are monogamous (having an only single partner) birds, not only us but all the species of swans. Surprisingly, at least 1/4th of the pairings are homosexual (usually, two males). The female lays eggs in the nest that both parents build.
Female lays 4-8 eggs at a time and the incubation period is 35 – 40 days. The female swan loses all its flight feathers for a month after breeding during which it settles on large waters for safety.
The young black swans are called cygnets and are raised by the parents for about 9 months and after that, they leave. The parent swans protect their eggs and kids aggressively. Our lifespan in the wild is 10-15 years whereas in captivity, it is 30-40 years.
MORE ABOUT US:
We can sing i.e.; we can utter bugle-like sound on water or in flight which has soft musical notes. We can also whistle.
We have the longest neck in all the swan species
We don’t filter water and milk as per the Indian myth, but we can filter feed from impurities and gravel before consuming.
We make our young ride our back when we go for long trips or into deep water.
OUR CONSERVATION:
We are thriving in this world and are abundantly available. We have no threat whatsoever and are under “Least Concern” on the IUCN red list. We are also protected under Schedule IV of Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Our population is estimated to be up to 5,00,000 individuals.
