Scientific Name: Cygnus Melancoryphus
Population Estimate: 25-100K
Range / Habitat: The black-necked swan is found in southern South America, ranging from the Falkland Islands and Tierra del Fuego, northwards to central Chile, Paraguay and southern Brazil. It is also an occasional visitor to the Antarctic Peninsula and the Juan Fernández Islands.
Field Notes: This majestic waterbird is easily distinguished by its immaculate white body plumage that contrasts sharply with a velvety black neck and head. The bill is a blue-grey colour with a conspicuous, scarlet-coloured, double-lobed knob, known as a caruncle, sitting at the base. A thin white line surrounds the eyes and stretches along the sides of the crown to the rear of the head. The male and female black-necked swan are similar in appearance, although the female is typically slightly smaller, but the juvenile lacks the caruncle, has a more brownish-black neck and head, and has varying amounts of greyish-flecked and brownish-tipped feathers.
Personal Notes:
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