Description

Black Swan Adult Breeding Pair

The Black Swan, or Australian Swan, (Cygnus atratus) is native to Australia and is the official state emblem of Western Australia. It is distinctive not only for being almost entirely black, but also having the longest neck of any swan species.

The Black Swan has a red eyes and a red bill with a white band. The feathers are black except for white wing feathers that show only in flight. The young swans, or cygnets, are grayish brown with pale edges to the feathers.

Australian Black Swans reach sexually mature in 18 to 36 months. Adults are about 40 to 56 inches in length and weigh up to 20 pounds. The wingspan is 5.3 to 6.5 feet. The male (cob) is larger than the female (pen).

Diet and Habitat

Swans are primarily herbivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, algae, and grasses. They also eat aquatic insects. Domestic swans are fed pelletized game bird or waterfowl feed containing 15% to 18% protein, supplemented with vegetables and greens.

Black Swans prefer to live outdoors in a warm climate. In a hot climate they need shelter that provides shade from the hot sun. In a really cold climate they need sheltered protection from winter weather.

Breeding Black Swans

Black swans are monogamous and usually have the same mate for life. In a protected environment they can live for up to 40 years.

Each breeding pair needs at least one-quarter acre of pond surface, with a depth of 18 to 24 inches for successful copulation. Breeding season runs from February through May in the Northern Hemisphere and May through September in the Southern Hemisphere.

The pen will lay 4 to 6 eggs, 48 hours apart. The eggs, which have greenish-white shells, are 4″ to 5″ long, 2.4″ to 3.2″ wide, and weigh 10 to 14 ounces. By comparison, a large chicken egg weighs 0.28 ounces. And yes, swan eggs are good to eat; they make a formidable omelette.

When hatched, the eggs have a 35 to 40 day incubation period. Although Black Swans have no predators, eggs and cygnets may be preyed on by rats and hawks. To ward off predators, adult swans threaten with their necks erect and bills pointed down, and lap their wings to make a loud and scary noise.

Black Swan Ownership

Anyone with experience keeping geese will find that swans are quite similar. However, although Black Swans are the least territorial of all swans, they are more territorial than geese. During mating, nesting, and family-raising periods they become aggressive protectors of their nesting territory.

Currently, no state prohibits the ownership of Australian Swans, although rules and regulations may change. So before acquiring swans, check with your state wildlife agency.