Black Swan

Introduction

I am about to tell you about one of the world's most fascinating animals, and Australia's national bird, the Cygnus Atratus otherwise known as the Black Swan. The information presented will describe its eating habits, its habitat, its breeding, and its appearance.

Habitat

The black swan can live in salt water or fresh water, but it needs permanent wetlands, and more than 40 meters of water to take off. The black swan was originally from South Easton and South Weston Australia and Tasmania, but was introduced to New Zealand and New Guinea. The black swan can be found in groups of 50,000 birds at a time.

Food

The black swan is a vegetarian; its food consists of algae, weeds, and grass. The black swan eats only blue algae because that is the only kind that lives in Australia. The black swan can put its neck into water up to one meter deep to get food other birds would have to dive for.

Breeding

The black swan breeds from February to May. Birds form isolated pairs in shallow wetlands; both adults raise one brood per season and lay about 10 eggs. The nest is laid on a small island and chicks are able to swim and feed themselves as soon as they hatch. The black swan's eggs are about two times the size of a chicken egg.

Appearance and Behavior

The black swan is a very large and unique bird; it is about 5 ft. tall and has a wing span of about 6 ft.The wings are black with the exception of white wing tips. The bill is red, orange or white, with grooves to help it grip food. Females are smaller than males, and chicks are white or gray.

The black swan has unique behavior that is unlike any other bird. The black swan makes a high pitched bugling sound when flying. The black swan flies at night and carries its chicks on its back while it's swimming. The bird is a clumsy walker.

Conclusion

Now you have learned about one of the world's most fascinating animals and its eating habits, its habitat, its breeding and its appearance.