[Cygnus atratus]
Habitat: Wetlands
Height: 44-55″
Weight: 8-20 lbs
Wingspan: Up to 6 1/2′
Max Lifespan: 40 years
Incubation Period: 35-40 days
Number of Young: Lays 4-6 eggs at a time
Conservation Status: Least Concern
– Swan parents take turns on the nest keeping the eggs warm
– Parents often carry young cygnets on their backs while swimming
– Often nest in loose colonies, unlike most other swans who do not tolerate other pairs anywhere near their nest
– Do not dive for food, but use their long necks to reach plants
– Has been noted for swimming with only one leg, the other leg being rotated over the body and tucked under its furled wings