For those of you who may not know, the Black Swan is a native of Australia. There was once a sub species in New Zealand called the New Zealand Swan but it was hunted to extiction. In 1864 the Australian Black Swan was introduced and now happily breeds there. The Black Swan is popular in zoological gardens and bird collections and escapees are often seen. It rarely breeds out of its natural range however.
When swimming, Black Swans hold their necks arched or erect and often carry their feathers or wings raised in an aggressive display. They are mostly black feathered birds but with white flight feathers. The bill is bright red with a pale bar and tip.
I saw this bird on Llangorse lake near Brecon when I was taking a photo for my landscape challenge. It was the only Black Swan among several white Mute Swans but isn't he/she magnificent! I would dearly love to see a Black Swan in flight and see those white feathers. I'm sure my 365 friends in Australia and NZ have seen this.
Super capture, the only Black Swans I have seen were at a English Heritage property Audley End House & Gardens (Hertfordshire/Cambridgeshire).... btw FAV
Great capture Sue. Yes they are a very graceful bird. I have plenty here in Warrnambool around the Lake Pertobe area. It is interesting when you mention you would love to see them in flight - I actually have not seen them in flight and I see many often! They just tend to swim off fast when they are disturbed. I will keep a watch for you though :)
@gilbertwood Thank you Denise. Interestingly I've hardly ever seen our white mute swans, of which there are many, in flight. They just seem too big to fly. I did take a couple of pictures of them in flight at a swannery last October which I will be posting on my 'birds and other wildlife' album before too long.
They are beautiful Sue, you have captured him well. They can be very loving in courtship & attack when upset. On 29.3.14 & 29.10.14 & 30.10.14 I have shots of them in these actions.
