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The Australian Black Swans

June 10th, 2020 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swans

COMMON NAME: Black Swan
KINGDOM: Animalia
PHYLUM: Chordata
CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Anseriformes
FAMILY: Anatidae
SUBFAMILY: Anserini

Black Australian Swans

GENUS SPECIES: Cygnus (swan) atratus (clothed in black)
”Atratus” translates into “Dressed in Black.”

Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swans

My / Our Experience with the Black Australian Swans has been Limited..
We have Visited various Pair.. Enjoyed Observing them.

Black Australian Swans

And we Tried to Rehabilitate Several.. without much Success.
We did what we could to give them a Chance to Heal and Improve.

Black Australian Swans

I have not Checked Various States if there are Any Prohibitions
for having Black Australian Swans as Captive Pets.

Black Australian Swans

In Pennsylvania there are NO Restrictions to Own or Breed them..

Black Australian Swans

I am not Aware of Any States Restricting Ownership.
If there is a Concern.. Check with your States Department of Agriculture.
And, Or your State’s WildLife Services.. WaterFowl Specialists.

Black Australian Swans

I am Going to Share some Basic Information..
Not much about the Wild – Free Black Australian Swans.

Black Australian Swans

This Species of Swan has Dark-Black Plumage with White Feathers
in their Wings easily seen during Flight.

Black Australian Swans

Their Wing Span Averages One and a Half to Two Meters.
( Estimate – Five to Six Feet)

Black Australian Swans

The Cobs have a more Pronounce Ruffling of their Back to Tail Feathers..

Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swans

Female Black Swans tend to hold their Necks in a Slight Curve.

Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swan

And the Mature Cobs tend to have the Longest Necks among the Swan Species.

Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swan
Black Australian Swans

The Elongated Neck enables the Black Swans to reach Deep into
the Water to Feed on Algae and other Aquatic Vegetation.

Black Australian Swans

Their Beak is more Red with a White Band near the Tip.

Black Australian Swans

And the Iris of their Eyes is a Bright Red.

Black Australian Swans

I Realized that I could Suspect Anemia by the Color of their Iris.
Anemia may be Caused by External or Internal Parasites.
Blood Loss after an Injury.. Chronic Infection or a Poor Diet..

Black Australian Swans

Their Legs and Webbed Feet are Dark Grey-Black.

Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swan
Black Australian Swans

Males – Cobs Average 18 – 20 Pounds
Females – Pens Average 10 – 14 Pounds

Black Australian Swans

Life Span.. from Reading.. With Good Luck and Health.
40 Years is Possible. I have No Experience with this.
10 Years seems more Realistic.

Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swan Canada Geese

Migrating Canada Geese Line the Rim of this Public Lake..

Black Australian Swan Canada Geese

I have Never heard any Owner of Black Swans say they are Good for Controlling
the Canada Geese that are a Problem on many Ponds.

Black Australian Swan Canada Geese
Black Australian Swans

Black Swan Vocal Sounds Musical “Tweets and Hoots”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkaCUUsSDYs

Black Australian Swans

The Black Swan is the most Social and least Territorial of all Swans.
There are Exceptions.. All Swans have their Own Personality.

Black Australian Swans

NATURAL DIET: Herbivores, Eating mainly Aquatic Vegetation
In Captivity as Pets.. the General Swan Feed Mixtures is Good.
They will Live on Ponds and Lakes with Natural Vegetation.

Black Australian Swans

In the Colder Regions.. Pennsylvania Included.. The Black Australian
Swans may need Sheltering during the Colder Nights. They are
Smaller and more Willing to be inside out of the Direct Cold.

Black Australian Swans

If your Swans, any Swans are Sheltering,
be SURE to Secure the Door or Opening at Night..
Inside a Structure they are Trapped. Vulnerable.

Black Australian Swans

Healthy Adults are OK out on Open Water during the Day…
Happier Inside on Icy Cold Nights.

Black Australian Swans

Cygnets that Hatch in the Fall will need Shelter at Night through
most Cold Winter Months.
Remember to RAISE the Heat Lamps as they Grow.

Black Australian Swans

Heat Lamps make me NERVOUS !! Use with Great Care…
Chances are you will not have Fire Detection in your Out Buildings.Shelter Swans

452 Best Heat Lamp Fire Images in 2019 / Inside Chicken Coops
https://www.pinterest.com/TheChicknChick/heat-lamp-fires/

Basic 80 to 100 Watt Light Bulbs will help to Warm the Still Air in a Building.

Black Australian Swans

Like other Swan Species..
Sexual Maturity is at 2 – 3 Years Old.

Black Australian Swans

BLACK SWANS MATING DANCE ” Joyful Bath”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oZu6PAfoG4

Black Australian Swans

The Black Swan Above are on an Island in the Middle of their Pond.

Black Swans Build their Nests on Islands or in Dense Vegetation near Water.

Black Australian Swans

Black Australian Swans Nest Twice a Year.
Both Cob and Pen will Gather Twiggy Materials for their Nest.

Black Australian Swans

Nestings occurs in February and again in September.
Once in Early Spring. And a Second Brood.. in the Fall.

Black Australian Swans

Black Australian Swans are Comfortable Nesting Inside a Shelter.

Black Australian Swans

Important to Secure any Opening at Night.. Keep Predators OUT !!

Healthy Females Lay 4 – 6 Pale Greenish Eggs for each Clutch.

Black Australian Swans

Both the Male and Female share in Incubation “Sitting” on the Eggs.

Black Australian Swans

The Black Cob spend much more time on the Nest then the Mute Swan Cobs.

Black Australian Swans

Once Incubation Begins.. Expect Cygnets in 35-36 Days.

Black Australian Swans

Remove Unfertile Eggs after 42 Days. Discard..

Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swan

Hatching an Average of 3 – 6 Cygnet each Nesting..

Black Australian Swans

Shortly after Hatching, the Cygnets can Swim and Feed themselves.
Their first Food is the same as other Cygnet Species.

Feeding Swan Cygnets
https://swanlovers.net/category/feeding-swan-cygnets/

In the Wild they would EAT LOT of Water Insects and Small invertebrates.
Feeding mostly from the Water’s Surface.

Black Australian Swans

The Cygnet above is NOT WaterProof… he is WET !!!

When Cygnets are NOT Raised on a Pond..
They need Pool Time to Encourage Preening..
to Aid and Improve their WaterProofing..

Black Australian Swans

Black Swans will Play in any Puddle of Water.
They will do OK on a Slightly Small Pond then the Larger Mutes and Trumpeter Swans.

Black Australian Swans

I have not had an Opportunity to Observe Black Australian Cygnets
Raised on the Pond with their Parents.. Only Hand Raised Cygnets.

Black Australian Swans

The Cygnets are Too Easily taken by Predators.
The Spring Brood Hatch during Chilly-Chilly March Weather.

Black Australian Swans

And the Fall Brood are not Developed enough to be Outside in our Cold Winter Months.

Black Australian Swans

They need to be Sheltered. Hard to do with the Parent..
who will do better out on the Pond in Cool Moderate Weather.

Black Australian Swans

If they were able to Live with their Parents, they will Ride
on their Parent’s Back for Longer Trips around their Waterways.

Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swans

The Cygnets have Gray Down for Three to Four weeks.

Black Australian Swans

Then the Beautiful Smoky Black-White Tips Feathers Emerge.

Black Australian Swans

Their First True Feathers are Dark Smoky Brown not as Black
as the Mature Adults.

Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swans

The Male Cygnet above is about 3 Months Old. Growing Nicely.

Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swans

The Beaks of Black Cygnets seem to go through some Color
Variations as they Mature to the Bright Red and White.

Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swans

The Cygnets need to be Ready for Life on their Own by 14-16 Weeks..
Rehoming-Adoption at 5 to 6 Months is Workable..

Black Australian Swans

Since there are Fewer Black Swans being Raised..
It is a Challenge to Arrange Young Unrelated Pairs.

It is a Good Idea to seek others who have and
Raise Black Australian Swans.. then Network with them..

Black Australian Swans

It is Common for Pairs to be from the Same Brood..
Not a Healthy Practice. Genetic Diversity Produces Healthier Swans.

Black Australian Swans

When the Adults are Ready to Start another Nesting..
I have no Experience if Two Different Broods will be OK staying
with the Parent.

Black Australian Swans

From Reading, it is often Stated that Cygnets will Remain with
their Parents for Nine Month before they Fledge and become Independent..
Suggesting Two Broods are in the Parents’ Care at the Same Time.

Black Australian Swans

Most Folks who have Captive Pet Black Swans,
Arrange for New Homes for each Brood of Cygnets..

Black Australian Swans

It would be Reasonable to Spoil some Clutches of Eggs..
to Limit the Number of Cygnets. There are Options..

Black Australian Swans

When Black Swans are Allowed to Pair at Will..
There are Frequently Two Females and One Male.

Black Australian Swans

They seem to enjoy being a Threesome.

Black Australian Swans

How & Who will Breed.. ??
I do not have that Experience..

Black Australian Swans

It Suggests.. One Female is a Spare.?? A “Nanny.”
If something Happens to the Nesting Female,
the other Female will take over the Nest.

Black Australian Swans

?? Both Females share Caring for the Cygnets.
One being the “Nanny.”

Black Australian Swans

I can not find anything in Reading about this..
so, this might have been my Observation Experience.

Black Australian Swans

After their Breeding Season the Adults Moult and are unable to Fly
for about a Month.
The Females Moult First, several Weeks later the Males start their Moult.

Black Australian Swans

I do not know if they Moult Twice a Year..
Or just after One of their Two Nestings… ??? Spring

Black Australian Swans

The Right Wing of the Right Black Swan is Pinioned..
Most White Flight Feathers are Missing.

Black Australian Swans

To Care for Captive Pet Black Swans Pinioning is Suggested.
If they are able to Fly.. they may simply Fly Away.

Black Australian Swan
Black Australian Swan

They have Little Chance of Surviving a Feral Life in Pennsylvania..

Black Australian Swans

The Black Australian Swans will Live and Build their Nests in a Colony
if their Water Environment will Support their Numbers..

Black Australian Swans
Black Australian Swans

If their Water Environment is not Flushing with Clean Water and you see
Fecal Material Floating on the Surface, this is not a Healthy Place.
Too many Waterfowl… will FOUL a Smaller Pond.

Black Australian Swans

Males do most of the Defending and Chasing off of “Enemies.”

Black Australian Swans

Territorial Disputes seem Less Severe.. Not sure how to word this..
There is more Posturing between Rival Males then “Out and Out” Battling..

Black Australian Swans

The Black Swan Cobs average Weight is 18 to 20 Pounds..
Mute Swan Cobs can be 28 to 30 Plus Pounds..

Black Australian Swans

BUT, we have Witnessed and there are Internet YouTube Video Clips..
of the Black Cobs being more Fierce and Aggressive toward the Larger Mutes.

Black Australian Swans

There is a “Pecking Order” on most Bodies of Water among the Waterfowl..
Black Australian Males like to the at the Top of Order..
They can be Surprisingly Aggressive. – The Pond Bully.

Black Australian Swans

The Black Swan NestMate Males will also become Compatible Pairs.
If you Prefer NOT to deal with Nesting Twice a Year,
Two NestMate Males Might be worth Considering.

Black Australian Swans

We / I have had Fun visiting with Black Australian Swans..

Black Australian Swans

We have tried to Rehabbed / Cared for Several.. My Experience is Limited.

Black Australian Swans

I Hope I have not Misrepresented their General Behavior.

As I Read various OnLine Articles, I can see that each Swan Owner
has their own Experiences and Observations.

Black Australian Swans

General Fact Articles about the Black Australian Swans,
seem to be largely “Cut and Paste” Information.

Black Australian Swans

The BeautyofBirds.com has a Nice Fact Article..

Black Australian Swan
Black Australian Swan
Black Australian Swan
Black Australian Swan

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& I am about to do the Same Thing….
Just a Little “Cut and Paste” History BackGround..

Before European Explorers had reached Australia,
it was believed that all Swans were White.

Black Australian Swans

Dutch Mariner, Antounie Caen, was the first to be Amazed at the Sight
of Australia’s Black Swans on the Shark Bay in 1636.

Black Australian Swans

Explorer Willem de Vlamingh Captured two Black Swans from Australia’s
Swan River and Brought them back to Europe to prove their Existence.

Black Australian Swans

During the Nineteenth Century, the original Western Australian Colony
was called “the Swan River Settlement.”

Black Australian Swans

In 1973, the Black Swan was Officially Proclaimed as the “Bird Emblem”
of the Government of Western Australia and now appears on their State Flag.

Black Australian Swans

Black Swans are still found Living Wild and Free in various Wetland Habitats
in Australia and Tasmania.
There are some Black Swans Living Free in the Regions of Sweden.

Black Australian Swans

Within Australia they are Nomadic, with Erratic Migration Patterns
dependent upon Climatic Conditions.
Like other Swans they need Open Water during the Colder Months.

Black Australian Swans

The Black Swans were Hunted to Extinction in New Zealand,
but later Reintroduced.

Black Australian Swans

In Victoria (Australia) and Tasmania they have caused enough Crop Damage
that the Government has established a short Hunting Seasons
to Control their Numbers.

Black Australian Swans

In the United States, there is No Mention of Feral Black Swans.
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The Australian Black Swan have a Rare Color Variation.
It is known as Silver or Merle Swan.

Silver Merle Australian Swans

Knox Swan and Dog has a Breeding Program in place to try
and get a Pure Strain of Silver Swans.

Silver Merle Australian Swans

The Plan is to get enough Swans with the Silver Gene to match up
in Breeding Pairs to produce the Silver Swans.

Silver Merle Australian Swans

If you know anyone who has an Australian Swan with this
Rare Color Various Bob Knox would like you to Contact him..

Silver Merle Australian Swans

The Few Images included are All from the Internet..

Knox Swan & Dog LLC (847) 875-3947
www.canadiangoosecontrol.com

https://www.canadiangoosecontrol.com/contact-us/ Send Message
75 Saddle Tree Lane, North Barrington, IL 60010

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Black Australian Swan

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The General Information is a Blend of my Experiences and Reading.
Compiled by Linda M. Sweger – June 2020
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Black Australian Swans

I Love this Image.. I Wish I could Identify the Photographer.. Lovely.

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