What kind of bird is a black swan? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. This bird can only be seen in Australia, so it is said that many people around the world do not know about it. However, despite being such an endemic species, it has been found that its population is surprisingly stable.
What is a black swan? About basic status
The white swan is a bird classified in the Anseriformes order, Anseriformes family, and the genus Swan. The scientific name is Cygnus atratus, and the kanji is black swan. The total length is 110cm to 140cm, the weight is 5kg to 6kg, and the wingspan is 2m. The list of information is as follows. It is an unknown bird in Japan, and its distinctive feature is its black appearance, which is the opposite of a swan. It’s called Black Swan.
| Japanese（和名） | コクチョウ |
| English（英名） | Black Swan |
| scientific name(学名) | Cygnus atratus |
| classification（分類） | Ave、 Anseriformes、Anatidae、Cygnus 鳥綱、カモ目、カモ科、ハクチョウ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（全長） | 110-140cm |
| Weight（体重） | 5-6kg |
About classification
There are two subspecies of black swans.
C. a. atratus
This subspecies is distributed throughout Australia.
C. a. sumnerensis
This subspecies was previously distributed in New Zealand. However, it became extinct due to Maori hunting.
Taxonomy
- 界 (Kingdom): Animalia（動物界）
- 門 (Phylum): Chordata（脊索動物門）
- 綱 (Class): Aves（鳥綱）
- 目 (Order): Anseriformes（カモ目）
- 科 (Family): Anatidae（カモ科）
- 属 (Genus): Cygnus（ハクチョウ属）
- 種 (Species): Cygnus atratus（コクチョウ）
About habitat
The black swan is distributed only in Australia.
- Natural Distribution (Origin)
Widely distributed throughout Australia
Especially common in freshwater lakes, rivers, and wetlands in the eastern and southeastern parts of the country
New Zealand
Introduced from Australia in the 19th century and feralized there
Tasmania
Confirmed natural habitat
- Habitat
Mainly lives in freshwater
Lakes, ponds, rivers, and wetlands
Prefers shallow waters with abundant aquatic plants
Can also be found in coastal brackish waters
Can adapt to artificial ponds in urban areas
- Seasonal Migration
Principally a sedentary, not migratory, bird
May migrate locally depending on water and food conditions
Migrates to larger bodies of water during droughts
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
The black swan has a black body and a red beak. The iris is pink or reddish. The flight feathers are white. It is a wandering bird that lives in areas such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands, and moves depending on the seasons and changes in the environment. They form flocks and do not migrate at all. It is Australia’s only endemic swan genus.
- Appearance and Physical Characteristics
Body Color: Completely black (sometimes with white feathers at the wing tips)
Beak: Bright red with a white spot at the tip
Body Size:
Body Length: Approximately 110-140 cm
Wingspan: Approximately 2 m
Weight: Approximately 3.7-9 kg
Legs and Feet: Black with firm webbed feet
💡 Appearance: It’s easy to understand if you think of it as a “black version of a swan.” It’s majestic and graceful, but its all-black body gives it a somewhat mysterious air.
- Flight and Behavior
Flight Ability: Powerful and capable of long-distance flight
Flight Appearance: They fly gracefully, stretching their long necks in an S-shape.
Swimming: Gliding across the water’s surface
Flocking: Usually in small flocks, but in areas with abundant food, they gather in numbers of several dozen birds.
- Call
High-pitched, sharp “hoot-hoot”-like call
Slightly lower in pitch than a swan’s call, giving it a dignified feel.
- Diet
Mainly herbivorous (aquatic plants, grasses, and algae)
Occasionally, they may also eat small aquatic insects.
- Breeding
Nest: Built from grasses and twigs found near water
Eggs: 4-8
Parent Role: Both parents raise the young
Breeding Season: Spring to Summer (September to January) in Australia
- Personality/Characteristics
Usually gentle and graceful
Strongly territorial, they can become aggressive when defending their nests
They are wary of humans and other birds, but can approach them once they become accustomed to them.
What is the ecology like?
Black swans are herbivorous and feed mainly on aquatic plants. The breeding season takes place from April to September. Pairs remain monogamous for life. White swans build nests with a diameter of about 1.5 m made of piled grass and lay their eggs. Usually, they lay 4-6 eggs and take care of the young birds until they are ready to fly. The lifespan is 30 to 40 years.
- Habitat
Mainly freshwater habitats: lakes, ponds, rivers, and wetlands
Prefers shallow waters and feeds in areas with abundant aquatic vegetation
Can also adapt to artificial ponds in coastal and urban areas
- Diet
Mainly herbivorous
Aquatic plants, algae, grasses, and seeds
Eats almost no animal matter
They are often seen stretching their necks to eat underwater plants
- Sociality/Swarming
Primarily social in groups
Usually small family groups
At feeding areas, they can form flocks of dozens to hundreds of birds
Strongly territorial, they defend their nests and family groups
- Breeding Behavior
Nest Building: Builds large nests out of grass and twigs near water
Breeding Season: Spring to summer (September to January) in Australia
Eggs: 4 to 8
Parent Role: Both parents raise the chicks and protect them near water
Chick Development: They are able to fly within a few months of hatching
- Migration/Migration
Sedentary birds
Non-migrating, only localized movements
Migrate during droughts or when water sources dry up
Primarily live in the same area
Are there any natural enemies?
The white swan has no natural enemies. Australia doesn’t have many natural enemies.
About Black Swan Chicks
Here’s a detailed look at black swan (Cygnus atratus) chicks. More than just being “cute and black,” chicks have an important period of time where they spend time living near water with their parents.
- Birth and Hatching
Number of Eggs: 4-8 are common
Incubation Period: Approximately 35 days
Characteristics Immediately After Hatching:
Feathers are gray to light brown and not yet flight-capable
Beak is pinkish gray
Swim along the water’s edge, clinging to their parents
- Developmental Stage
Early Stage (1-2 weeks after hatching)
Swim primarily under the protection of their parents
Do not dive, but move in shallow areas
Middle Stage (2-6 weeks)
Feathers gradually molt, and their bodies become stronger
Begin practicing feeding while accompanying their parents
Late Stage (6-12 weeks)
Begin preparation for flight, and begin feeding on aquatic plants on their own
Interact with other chicks in the flock
- Flight and Independence
Age of Flight: Around 3-4 months of age
Independence from Parents:
Once they are able to fly, they gradually move away from their parents
However, they may stay close to their parents for the first year
- Characteristics/Behavior
Their feathers are fluffy and gray or pale, compared to the black of adults.
They are able to swim on water immediately after birth, but their physical strength is weak.
Their parents act as guardians for the chicks.
They feed primarily on aquatic plants and soft vegetation, guided by their parents.
Is the black swan an endangered species?
The black swan is not an endangered species. However, it has become extinct in New Zealand and is now protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 in New South Wales, Australia. As a side note, the black swan was featured on postage stamps in Western Australia from 1854 to 1902.
Details
Distribution and Population
Widely distributed throughout Australia and New Zealand
Relatively large and stable population
As long as there are sufficient bodies of water, such as lakes and wetlands, their habitat is stable
Conservation Status
Low risk of extinction
In some areas, they may be affected by habitat changes due to agriculture and urbanization
Introduced as an invasive species in New Zealand, they have occasionally overpopulated
Ecological Robustness
Sedentary and only migrating locally, they are adaptable to environmental changes
Can survive in artificial ponds and urban parks
Can black swans be kept as pets?
As mentioned above, black swans are protected under the Wildlife Act, so it is difficult to keep them as pets. Check out the posts posted at the park on our online page.
- Difficulty of Raising
Large Body Size
Adult birds reach a body length of 110-140cm and a wingspan of approximately 2m
Requires a large pond or space to fly
A waterside area is essential
A constant swimming area is required
Water management and maintenance of water quality are important
Loud calls
Their high-pitched, shrill calls can be noisy in residential areas
- Personality and Behavior
Can be aggressive
Especially during breeding season and have a strong territorial instinct
They will even threaten humans when defending their chicks or nest
They are gregarious animals
Keeping them alone can be stressful
- Laws and Permits
In Japan, black swans are not designated as invasive species
However, keeping wild animals may require a local government license or notification
Breeding and selling are subject to additional regulations
- Actual Breeding Examples
They are commonly kept in artificial ponds at zoos and parks.
For private breeding,
A large outdoor pond or a garden with a water feature is required.
Food management (mainly aquatic plants and grains)
Health management (veterinary support) is essential.
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