Swans

 

 'Swan' is the common gender term for the species but males are known as ‘cobs’ and females as ‘pens', Young or immature birds are known as 'cygnets'.

The Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) is a large water-bird which breeds mainly in the southeast and southwest regions of Australia. They have been successfully bred here at South East Ornamental Birds as you can see in the pictures below.

Black Swans are mostly black feathered birds, with white flight feathers. The bill is bright red, with a pale bar and tip; and legs and feet are greyish-black. Cobs (males) are slightly larger than pens (females), with a longer and straighter bill. Cygnets (immature birds) are a greyish-brown with pale-edged feathers.

A mature Black Swan measures between 110 and 142 cm (43-56 in) in length and weighs 3.7-9 kg (8.1-20 lbs). Its wing span is between 1.6 and 2 metres (5.3-6.5 ft). The neck is long and curved in an "S". The Black Swan is quite a vocal bird and its sound has been likened to that of a 'didgeridoo'. It can also whistle, especially when disturbed while breeding and nesting.

Photos of the Black Swan family at South East Ornamental Birds:

Black Necked Swans:

Black Necked Swans originate from South America. They breed in Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and on the Falkland Islands. In the winter this species migrates northwards to Paraguay and southern Brazil. The Laguna Blanca National park in Argentina is a protected home of this swan.

The Black Necked Swans are on a separate pond to the Black Swans as altercations have been known to happen!

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