Black Swan

The Black Swan is native to Australia, where it is a common and conspicuous wetland bird, and has been widely introduced as an ornamental species to parks and lakes elsewhere in the world, including New Zealand, Europe, and North America. It is unique among swans for its dark plumage and distinctively textured, curled body feathers.

Body and back feathers are sooty black to dark gray with a distinctive curled or ruffled edge, giving the plumage a shaggy, textured appearance quite unlike the sleek feathers of white swans—a useful identification feature even on an isolated body feather. In striking contrast, the primaries and secondaries are white, visible as a bright flash when the wings are spread or in flight, and sometimes as a pale edge peeking from the folded wingtip at rest. The bill is deep red with a pale tip and band.

Sexes look alike. Juveniles are grayish-brown overall, already showing the curled feather texture, and darken with age. Molt occurs after breeding, with a flightless period typical of swans.

Native to wetlands, lakes, and coastal lagoons across Australia. Introduced and often semi-domesticated populations occur in parks and ornamental lakes in New Zealand, parts of Europe, and North America.

Feeds by grazing and by dabbling or upending for aquatic vegetation in shallow water. Builds a large nest of reeds and grasses, often on a small island or emergent platform. Highly gregarious, sometimes gathering in large flocks on productive wetlands. Vocal, with a musical, bugling or whistling call quite different from the hiss of the Mute Swan.