The netre necked swan | Facts & Information

Origin

The most sought-after areas are those shallow water with vegetation that it can reach. It has been observed at altitudes from sea level to 1200 meters. It breeds in southern Chile, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands. In the cold season, i.e. winter, they migrate to Brazil and north of Paraguay.

It is also called the golasa Swan. I have seen that some Romans call it the black-backed Swan. I don't know where that name comes from.

In Chile is a place "Carlos Anwandter natural sanctuary" named after the German politician Carlos Anwandter. Thousands of black-necked swans gather in this sanctuary over time. Favorable conditions and habitat made it the home of many flocks.

In 2004 and 2005 thousands of contaminated Swans died, barely 4 specimens out of an estimated population of 5000 Swans could be observed. Autopsies revealed the water was contaminated with iron and other metals. At this point, at which the article is written, it is not classified as at risk.

The closest relatives of the black-necked swan are the black Swanand the summer Swan. The black-necked swan lives in large flocks that stretch over areas of several kilometers.

The black-necked swan can be found in literature or in other languages under the names: Labut cernokrka, Schwarzhalsschwan, Cygne a col noir, Cigno collonero, Cigno Dal collo Nero, Zwarthalszwaan, Svarthalssvane, cabeca-preta, capororoca, cisne, cisne-de-pescoco-negro, Cisne-de-pescoco-preto, Cisne Cuellinegro, Cisne Cuello Negro, Cisne de cuello Negro, svarthalsad Svan, Siyah-Boyunlu Kugu, etc.

Read Also the flight of birds

Feeding black-necked swan

The black-necked swan feeds mainly on aquatic vegetation that it reaches by diving its head.

It breaks vegetation and plants with its powerful beak. Besides vegetation they also eat invertebrates such as insects, frogs or fish.

When food is scarce it rarely goes out on land in search of plants. Adults also prefer potato, carrot, wheat, and other plantations.

The chicks feed on aquatic insects and crustaceans rich in protein, and as they grow their diet becomes vegetarian.

See also bird mating

Features black-necked swan

The black-necked swan is between 100 and 125cm long. and the weight of 3.5 to 7kg. The wingspan is 135-180cm. The plumage is entirely white except the neck and head are black.

The dark grey beak has a reddish fleshy prominence at the base. The female is smaller than the male. The short, pinkish legs are slightly atypically positioned and make it more difficult to move on land.

The chicks have light grey plumage and black beak and legs.

The black-necked swan is a social bird. They separate in pairs only during mating, otherwise they gather in large groups. The flock can migrate depending on the availability of food. They spend most of their time in the water because their short legs make it difficult to move on land.

If on land it goes hard, or takes flight harder, once in the air it is a very good flier. It's one of the fastest Swans. It can reach speeds of 80 miles per hour.

When defending their territory, the males lower their heads to intimidate their opponents and then return by flapping their wings at the female, mandu and with their beak up. Although it communicates through sounds or touches, the black-necked swan is not a talkative species.

Adults have few natural predators. Seagulls are the most dangerous for eggs. Minks and foxes are the most dangerous for puppies. People are the biggest threat. They hunt the Swan for food, feather or beak fun.

Breeding black-necked swan

The black-necked swan, unlike other swan species, carries its Young on its back. It is a monogamous Bird where pairs form for life. The connection between them is very strong. They can mate three times a season in which the female lays 4-8 eggs in a nest on a mound of vegetation, each egg having about 240 grams.

After 30-40 days the chicks come out. They stay with their parents between 8 and 14 months until they become independent. At the age of two years it reaches maturity and is able to mate.

During the incubation period the males become very protective and more aggressive with those who approach. They take their parenting role seriously and guard the nest against humans or natural enemies (predators that hunt both eggs and chicks).

Both parents carry the Cubs on their backs. The gray-colored young reach adult color in the second year of life. The rather large nest, over a meter, is built from plants, feathers, twigs, branches, stuff, etc.

At the approach of humans they even withdraw from the nest leaving the eggs unprotected. It is the smallest species of Swan and probably does not have the courage to measure its strength with Man. Other species such as the Black Swan and summer Swan don't give up their nest that easily. Most Swans die from getting sick, predators hunting for chicks and insufficient food.

Life expectancy is 10-20 years in the wild. The longest-lived black-necked swan lived for 30 years.