Black Swan

Physical Description

The Black Swan has dark, black body plumage with white feather tips on its wings. They have an average wingspan of 5-6.5 feet and will weigh around 13-20 lbs. Black Swans have the longest neck to body ratio of any swan species. Their beak is deep red with white band at the tip, and they have black, webbed feet.

Predators

Black Swans have no natural predators, but they may be preyed on by introduced species such as cats, dogs, and foxes.

Lifespan

In the wild, they live an average of 12 years, but in human care, they have been known to live up to 40 years.

Reproduction

Adults will typically mate for life. Their breeding season lasts from February to September. Both parents will help build the nest where the female will lay 5-8 eggs. The pair will alternate incubating the eggs for a period of 35-40 days.

Fun Facts

• Swans molt once a year during which time they are flightless.
• Although they are only native only to Australia, black swans have been introduced all over the world, including in Europe, North America, and New Zealand.

Conservation Messaging

Here at our duck pond, we welcome all species of native migratory birds. You can see different species of ducks and waterfowl as they migrate with the seasons. Our resident waterfowl have learned to coexist and share their habitat with these birds because they serve them a purpose. As with most birds, these migratory species are excellent at seed dispersal allowing a diverse plant community to form within their habitat as well as many other habitats.