Where do black swans come from originally?

They are native to southeastern and southwestern Australia, though introduced populations now exist in New Zealand, parts of Europe, and Japan.

What is unusual about black swan pair bonds?

About one-quarter of pairings are same-sex, mostly between males, and pairs mate for life, often reusing and repairing the same nest year after year.

Black Swanコクチョウ

Cygnus atratusLC— Least Concern

The black swan is a striking all-black waterbird native to Australia, easily recognized by its red bill and curled wing feathers. Its 1697 discovery overturned the long-held European assumption that all swans were white, later giving rise to the term "black swan event."

Black Swan (reference photo) — Photo: W. Bulach / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Anseriformes / Anatidae Source
Size: 110–142 cm
Weight: 3.7–9 kg (a maximum of 9 kg has been recorded)
Lifespan: Long-lived in both the wild and captivity; records are unclear but it is said to live for decades
Diet: Herbivore Almost entirely herbivorous, eating aquatic and waterside plants and algae; sometimes feeds on land
Distribution: Native to southeastern and southwestern Australia, with introduced populations in New Zealand, Europe, Japan, and elsewhere. Source
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

Pairs form lifelong bonds and typically reuse the same nest each year, repairing or rebuilding it as needed. Source
Before its discovery in Australia in 1697, it was assumed all swans were white; the revelation later inspired the term "black swan event" for a rare, high-impact occurrence once thought impossible. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 3

Izu Shaboten ZooShizuokaOpened in 1959

Source

Kiryuugaoka DoubutsuenGunmaIf driving, set your car navigation to "Kiryugaoka Amusement Park" (Kiryugaoka Yuenchi) rather than "Kiryugaoka Zoo" to reach the parking lot (searching by the zoo name may give an incorrect route).

Source

Hirakawa ZooKagoshimaAbout a 20-minute walk from Goino Station on the JR Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line, or take a bus bound for Taniyama / Dobutsuen from Fukuhira Nokyo-mae to the last stop.

Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Least Concern (LC)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit: A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving: Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei: Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

Where do black swans come from originally?: They are native to southeastern and southwestern Australia, though introduced populations now exist in New Zealand, parts of Europe, and Japan. Source
What is unusual about black swan pair bonds?: About one-quarter of pairings are same-sex, mostly between males, and pairs mate for life, often reusing and repairing the same nest year after year. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 3 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org