THE BLACK SWAN(CYGNUS ATRATUS)

BY MADELYN CAMPBELL

Classification Kingdom – Animalia Phylum – Chordata Class – Aves Order – Anseriformes Family – Anatidae Genus – Cygnus Species - Atratus

Classification Closely Related Waterfowl (Anatidae)

Ducks Geese Other Swans

Physical CharacteristicsSize

Male – 15-19 PoundsFemale – 11 Pounds

Features Red Eyes, Red Bill Webbed FeetWingspan

5 – 6 Feet acrossPlumage

Black with white wingtips

DistributionLargest populations in New Zealand – (60,000) and Australia – (70,000). Small Population in Tazmania

Habitat Fresh or Brackish Water Lakes Rivers Swamplands Coastal Areas

Conservation StatusThe Black Swan is protected under the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974.It is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Their population is stable at around 500,000 worldwide.

Reproductive Characteristics

Mating System – Monogamous (one mate for life)

Become reproductive between 18 to 36 months

Hatch 5 to 6 eggs per “Clutch” Baby Swans are called Cygnets

Parental Care Mother stays with the eggs Father protects the mother and nest Cygnets can fly at 3 months and stay

with parents for 6 months

Longevity and Mortality Longevity

Wild – 10 yearsCaptivity – 30 years

Seasonal patterns Breeding Season – February through

September Nesting Season – April Eggs Normally Laid – April through

August

Diet Cygnets eat aquatic insects and

crustaceans (shrimp and crayfish) until 2-3 months old

Adults eat aquatic vegetation

Predators Eggs and Cygnets:

Australian Ravens Swamp Harriers Hawks Gulls Water Rats

Adults: Man

Human Relationships Protected in Australia Hunted in New Zealand (Invasive

Species) Feathers used for decorative purposes

Fun Facts Swans are the largest flying bird Can Fly 50 to 60 Miles an Hour It takes a cygnet 24 hours to peck out of its egg The Black Swan has the longest neck of any Swan A female Swan is known as a Pen

Works Cited “Cygnus Atratus”, Black Swan, Animal Diversity Web, copyright

2012, Regents of University of Michigan, http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu

“Black Swan (Cygnus Atratus). “Birds. N.p., 29 Apr. 2007. Web 24 Feb 2013, http://www.wildanimalsonline.com/birds/blackswan.php

“Black Swan Cygnus Atratus.” Bird Zoo Damisela. Mariano Jimenez, 1 Feb 1999. Web. 24 Feb 2013. Http://www.damisela.com/zoo/ave/otros/anser/anatidos/cisne/black/indexe.htm

Johnson, Sybille F. “Black Swans. “AvianWeb.com. AvianWeb LLC, July 2012. Web. 24 Mar. 2013. Http://www.avianweb.com/blackswans.html