Saturday 10 November 2012

BLACK SWAN & CYGNETS

The Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) is a large waterbird, a species of swan, which breeds mainly in the southeast and southwest regions of Australia. The species was hunted to extinction in New Zealand, but later reintroduced. Within Australia they are nomadic, with erratic migration patterns dependent upon climatic conditions. Black Swans are large birds with mostly black plumage and red bills. They are monogamous breeders that share incubation duties and cygnet rearing between the sexes.

Described scientifically by English naturalist John Latham in 1790, the Black Swan was formerly placed into a monotypic genus, Chenopis. Black Swans can be found singly, or in loose companies numbering into the hundreds or even thousands. Black Swans are popular birds in zoological gardens and bird collections, and escapees are sometimes seen outside their natural range.

This post is part of the Weekend Reflections meme,
and also part of the Weekly TopShot meme.



11 comments:

  1. I saw my first Australian black swan a year ago. They are such majestic creatures. But today is my first sighting of the baby. How precious is that!

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  2. I love those black swans with the red beaks. They make for a great subject.

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  3. Beautiful photos of these noble birds

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  4. Nice photos, great reflectionpost!

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  5. What great shots! They are so cute! Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos.

    Visiting from weekly top shot.

    Tammy
    ourneckofthewoods.net

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  6. Oh ain't this just ducky? really? LOL. Great talent you have. I like your sense of artistry with subject matter. cool. newest follower.

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  7. oops, neglectful me, i'm #81 at Weekly Top Shot.

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  8. Beautiful... the gosling close up is marvelous! Thank you for sharing on Weekly Top Shot #56!

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