Friends of Big Swamp
  • About
    • Friends of Big Swamp
    • Big Swamp
  • FLORA & FAUNA
    • Flora
    • Birds of Big Swamp >
      • Black Swan
      • Great Crested Grebe
      • New Holland Honeyeater
      • Musk Duck
      • Red Capped Parrot (or King Parrot)
      • Splendid Fairy Wren
      • Yellow Billed Spoonbill
    • Fauna >
      • Dragonflies and Damselflies >
        • Blue Skimmer Dragonfly
    • Vermin Species and Management
    • Wildcare and Injured Animals
  • Location & Maps
  • Projects & Research
    • Bird Count
    • Water Balance Project 2016
    • Big Swamp Interpretive Loop Walk 2017
    • Field Survey of Flora and Fauna 2007
    • Weed Management 2007 - present
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contact
  • Supporters and Links
  • Regular Activities
  • Calendar

Black Swan

Australia has the world’s only, mostly Black Swan, just a red beak and a glimpse of white feather until it fly’s then you see as in the photo the white flight feathers.  

​New Zealand had its own species but it was hunted to extinction, later on the Australian species was introduced and have now become naturalised.

Black swans live throughout Australia wherever there is a large body of water.  They feed on aquatic and marshland plants. Breeding is between May and September and the mature pair bond permanently, both of them nest building, incubating and feeding the cygnets.

The female lays 4 - 6 eggs in an untidy nest, incubation doesn't start until the last egg is laid.  This takes 35 - 40 days and the cygnets stay with the parents for about 9 months.
 
After they have finished breeding Sept - Feb. the adults moult their wing feathers. Unable to fly they gather in large groups on open water, safety in numbers.
 
The Big Swamp is home to a successful breeding pair and they should return to their nest site to breed annually.  Black Swans are good parents, calmly and proudly displaying their offspring but seeing them in flight they are at their most spectacular.
Picture

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​Prince Philip Dr, South Bunbury WA 6230

Contact Us

friendsofbigswamp@mail.com
We would like to acknowledge the photographs supplied by David Addy, Terri Sharp, Bunbury Museum, Tom Brightwell, Maurice Colley, King Cottage Museum, Carol Strang.
Website by CloudStoke Media
  • About
    • Friends of Big Swamp
    • Big Swamp
  • FLORA & FAUNA
    • Flora
    • Birds of Big Swamp >
      • Black Swan
      • Great Crested Grebe
      • New Holland Honeyeater
      • Musk Duck
      • Red Capped Parrot (or King Parrot)
      • Splendid Fairy Wren
      • Yellow Billed Spoonbill
    • Fauna >
      • Dragonflies and Damselflies >
        • Blue Skimmer Dragonfly
    • Vermin Species and Management
    • Wildcare and Injured Animals
  • Location & Maps
  • Projects & Research
    • Bird Count
    • Water Balance Project 2016
    • Big Swamp Interpretive Loop Walk 2017
    • Field Survey of Flora and Fauna 2007
    • Weed Management 2007 - present
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contact
  • Supporters and Links
  • Regular Activities
  • Calendar