Black Swans

Black swans in the estuary at Ferrymead. Swans members of the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes. With its elegant long neck, the black swan (Cygnus atratus) is one of New Zealand’s largest wetland birds, around 1.2 metres long and weighing 5–6 kilograms. On the water, it appears all black with a bright red bill; however, in flight the bird shows wide white trailing wing margins. It has a bugle-like call, and hisses to defend its nest. Image by Bradley White for Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research.

Anatidaebiodiversitybirdbirdsblack swanestuaryferrymeadmanaaki whenuaswanwaterbirdwatering