Black swans

Cygnus atratus is the world's only black swan, but it has white, conspicuous flight feathers. The bill and neck of the male swan are longer and straighter than the female's. These swans prefer large, permanent swamps and lakes with emergent and submerged aquatic vegetation. Their nests are large mounds of reeds, grasses and aquatic plants.

Banding of swans at Robina Lakes

Many swans living and breeding on the Robina Lakes and surrounding areas have been tagged with an identification band. A local, qualified expert is monitoring breeding pairs for the City of Gold Coast as part of a long-term study to examine the population biology of black swans.

The information obtained from this study will build upon the scientific body of knowledge that relates to the species. This will assist in maintaining sustainable swan populations into the future.

For more information on the banding of black swans, you can contact licensed bird bander and Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme regional organiser, Jon Coleman, at janetandjon@hotmail.com.

Reference: The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, G. Pizzey and F. Knight, Harper Collins Publishers, 2003.