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Common Name
Black Swan Scientific Name
Cygnus atratus Distribution
Australia; predominantly southern Habitat
Large, permanent expanses of water; brackish or fresh Diet
Vegetable matter, water plants, and land grazing Size
Average adult wingspan is 6 ft. (180 cm.) Average adult length is 50 in. (125 cm.) The male is slightly larger than the female. Gestation
35-42 days Longevity
3-6 years in the wild, 20 years in captivity Behavior
These are gregarious birds. They are highly mobile with no set pattern of migration. Both male and female incubate the eggs and raise the young. Endangered Status
Not currently listed Interesting Facts
The Black Swan was once persecuted because it was thought to be a bird of the devil. They moult and loose all their flight feathers after the chicks hatch and while raising the young. This process leaves the swan flightless for about a month. Suggested Readings
Scott, Peter. The World Atlas of Birds. New York: Crescent Books, 1974.ZooBooks 2. "Ducks, Geese, and Swans." San Diego: Wildlife Education Ltd., 1986.
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