Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)

The Black Swan

European explorers were amazed (Vlaming in 1697) to discover that in Australia swans are black.

They are common birds across all of coastal Australia, and nest in swamps or river estuaries. They are not common in the North West.

They make their nests out of coarse reed stems on a dry bit of a small island, or on a river bank. They lay a clutch of about five eggs which are greenish white in colour, usually in autumn (March-April) or in winter.

They can travel in enormous flocks and move from one feeding ground to another. They will feed in the shallows, or eat grass on the banks. They are not popular with farmers.

Swans are a protected species in Australia.

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