Family Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae)
Least Concern
Black-necked Swan (Cygnus melancoryphus)
Taxonomy
French: Cygne à cou noir German: Schwarzhalsschwan Spanish: Cisne cuellinegro
Taxonomy:
Anas Melancorypha
Molina
, 1782,Chile
.Distribution:
S South America from Tierra del Fuego and Falkland Is N to C Chile, Uruguay and extreme S Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul); in winter N to São Paulo, in SE Brazil.
Descriptive notes
102–124 cm; male 4600–8700 g, female 3500–4400 g. Unmistakable. Variable white stripe behind eye (sometimes it is completely absent). Female slightly... read more
Voice
Generally considered to be silent or almost so outside breeding season. Gives soft, musical “Whee-... read more
Habitat
Swamps, river basins, freshwater marshes, lagoons of brackish water, shallow lakes and inlets, and... read more
Food and feeding
Eminently vegetarian, mainly stoneworts (Chara) and pondweeds (Potamogeton), as well as other aquatic weeds; also algae... read more
Breeding
Starts in early spring (Jul–Aug, occasionally Jun), but continues until at least Sept–Nov in far S of range; starts early Aug... read more
Movements
Falklands and northern populations relatively sedentary, though movements to favoured estuaries... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). CITES II. In late 1990s total population perhaps < 100,000 birds. Generally common and widespread; has recolonized parts of Chile... read more
Sometimes placed in monospecific genus Sthenelides. This species has generally been thought to be closest to C. atratus and C. olor. Specific name has frequently been misspelt (as in HBW)#R. Monotypic.