Black Swan

Cygnus atrata

RANGE Australia

HABITAT Near fresh or brackish water, especially swamps and lakes

DIET Aquatic plants, occasionally insects

Black swans are generally black with white wing tips, which are conspicuous in flight. They are able to fly at speeds up to 50 mph. Their long necks contain 24 to 25 vertebrae, three times the amount of most mammals.

They have fine grooves along their bills that help grip their diet of underwater plants. Pairs are strongly territorial and defend a large area around the nest.

The black swan population is currently stable.