Black Swan
The Black Swan is a large species of swan which breeds mainly in the south east and south west regions of Australia. The species was hunted to extinction in New Zealand, but later reintroduced.
The Black Swan is mostly black-feathered bird with white flight feathers. The bill is bright red with a pale bar and tip and the legs and feet are greyish-black. Cobs (males) are slightly larger than pens (females) with a longer and straighter bill.
The Black Swan's preferred habitat extends across fresh, brackish and salt water lakes, swamps and rivers with underwater and emergent vegetation for food and nesting materials. Permanent wetlands are preferred, including ornamental lakes, but Black Swans can also be found in flooded pastures and tidal mudflats and occasionally on the open sea near islands or the shore.
The Black Swan is also very popular as an ornamental waterbird in western Europe, especially the UK, and escapes are commonly reported. As yet the population in Britain is not considered to be self-sustaining and so the species is not afforded admission to the official British List.
Date: 30th September 2013
Location: Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk
The Black Swan is mostly black-feathered bird with white flight feathers. The bill is bright red with a pale bar and tip and the legs and feet are greyish-black. Cobs (males) are slightly larger than pens (females) with a longer and straighter bill.
The Black Swan's preferred habitat extends across fresh, brackish and salt water lakes, swamps and rivers with underwater and emergent vegetation for food and nesting materials. Permanent wetlands are preferred, including ornamental lakes, but Black Swans can also be found in flooded pastures and tidal mudflats and occasionally on the open sea near islands or the shore.
The Black Swan is also very popular as an ornamental waterbird in western Europe, especially the UK, and escapes are commonly reported. As yet the population in Britain is not considered to be self-sustaining and so the species is not afforded admission to the official British List.
Date: 30th September 2013
Location: Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk
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Also in: Black Swans
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