Cygnus atratus
Black swans originate from Australia (including Tasmania), but also live in New Zealand. They are the world's only black swans although their flight feathers, normally almost fully hidden at rest, are white. Their nests are made out of grasses and reeds and can reach two meters in diameter and one meter in height. They give birth to five or six pale green eggs, but often it is easy to count between four and ten eggs. The little ones are born white and enjoy climbing on their parents' backs. It takes six months for them to be able to fly, and they become adults in two years.
Picture taken at Indianapolis zoo, in May 2002.
Genus Cygnus
Tribe Anserini
Subfamily Anserinae
Family Anatidae
Order Anseriformes
Class Aves
Subphylum Vertebrata
Phylum Chordata
Kingdom Animalia
Life on Earth
Index