Black Swan Factfile
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Scientific Name : Cygnus atratus
World Distribution
Black swans come from all parts of Australiea wher thy can find suitable wetland habitats.
Habitat
Their ideal habitat is a lake or swamp with plenty of vegetation to nest in. They will often nest on small islands in the lake.
Feeding
Swans feed mostly on water plants, algae and grains. because of their very long necks they can feed in deeper water than ducks. Thy even dig up the roots of plants and eat those. Cygnets feed on the water's surface, so their diet includes insects and other bugs.
Predators
A dingo would make a hearty meal of a swan, but it might have difficulty catching one because they can be very aggressive, especially when they are protecting their young. Despite this protection, cygnets are often eaten by birds of prey.
Breeding
Like other
types of swans, they mate for life. When a nest has been built and carefully
lined with soft down, the female lays about 5 or 6 eggs, which hatch after
40 days into rather gawky, fluffy grey cygnets (remember the ugly duckling?)
Both mum and dad help to keep the eggs warm and protect the young from danger.
The young are aable to follow their parents when they are just a day old.