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Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)
Description:
Unmistakable, world's only predominantly black swan. Pumage entirely black and sooty grey with the exception of pure white primary wing feathers mostly hidden while at rest. The bill is red with a white band close to the tip.
Distribution:
The Black Swan is common in the wetlands of south western and eastern Australia and adjacent coastal islands. In the south west the range encompasses an area between North West Cape, Cape Leeuwin and Eucla; while in the east it covers are large region bounded by the Atherton Tableland, the Eyre Peninsula and Tasmania, with the Murray Darling Basin supporting very large populations of black swans.[3][8] It is uncommon in central and northern Australia.
Habitat:
Extensive areas of open water on which to land and take off from. Large water bodies with growths of indigenous water plants including Potamogeton crispus are valuable. Large rush, cumbungi or reed beds are favoured as places to build the large nests.
Threats:
The juvenile birds are often taken by foxes. Adult birds may collide with human structures such as powerlines. These birds are also very susceptible to injury from discarded fishing line and hooks.
What can we do?:
Use traffic-calming measures in areas where this species is breeding to avoid vehicle collisions with families travelling between water-bodies and grazing sites. Encourage responsible pet ownership in areas near wetlands with cat restraint and inquisitive dogs being under control so that cygnets are not harassed. Fox control is also valuable.
- Fauna: