|
Scientific Name: |
Cygnus atratus
|
|
Range: |
Watersheds of southern Australia
|
|
Habitat: |
Shallow waters of lakes and rivers, coastal areas and marshes (fresh or salt)
|
|
Natural Diet: |
Aquatic vegetation and small animals
|
|
Zoo Diet: |
Trout chow, grain and vegetables
|
Physical
Characteristics:
|
Primarily black feathered body with some white feathers on the wings. Bill is orange-red with a white band near the tip. Eyes are bright red. Legs and feet are black. The weight of an average adult is 20 pounds and the length is around 39 inches.
|
|
Behavior: |
Monogamous. Feed at dusk. Non-migratory. Will carry cygnets on back.
|
|
Reproduction: |
Black swans lay a clutch of 4-7 greenish-white eggs. The incubation period is 32-36 days. The male and female incubate and raise the young together. Young swans, or cygnets, remain with their parents for one year. After breeding, the parents molt and become flightless for a short time.
|
|
Notes:
|
Swans feed by dipping their heads underwater and pulling up vegetation. They are good swimmers but do not dive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
