All Animals

Animal Guide

Black Swan

43 destinations · 24 states

Native Range
Southern Australia and Tasmania

Black swans are striking waterbirds, with dark plumage that can look almost black until sunlight catches the white flight feathers hidden beneath their wings. Watch one on the water and you'll notice the long, graceful neck moving constantly as it searches for aquatic plants. Their bills can reach below the surface while they graze on submerged vegetation, and they sometimes tip forward with the tail pointing skyward as they feed. Black swans are also surprisingly social, often gathering in groups on lakes, wetlands, and coastal waters. When they take off, they need a running start across the water, beating their wings rapidly before becoming airborne. Their loud calls can carry across a wetland, and pairs may stay together while raising their cygnets. Young birds are gray rather than black, so a family group can show several different stages of development at once. At a zoo or wildlife destination, watch for a feeding swan to suddenly lift its wings. The flash of white flight feathers against the dark body makes the bird look completely different for a moment.

Black Swan

Where to see Black Swan

43 destinations across 24 states

43 destinations

African Safari Wildlife Park

Port Clinton, OH

Alexandria Zoological Park

Alexandria, LA

Aloha Safari Park

Cameron, NC

Blank Park Zoo

Des Moines, IA

Brevard Zoo

Melbourne, FL

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Tampa, FL

Caldwell Zoo

Tyler, TX

Cape May County Park & Zoo

Cape May Court House, NJ

Dakota Zoo

Bismarck, ND

Dickerson Park Zoo

Springfield, MO

Fort Wayne Zoo

Fort Wayne, IN

Franklin Park Zoo

Boston, MA

Garlyn Zoo Wildlife Park

Naubinway, MI

Gladys Porter Zoo

Brownsville, TX

Great Plains Zoo

Sioux Falls, SD

Gulf Breeze Zoo

Gulf Breeze, FL

Hattiesburg Zoo

Hattiesburg, MS

Henson Robinson Zoo

Springfield, IL

Honolulu Zoo

Honolulu, HI

John Ball Zoo

Grand Rapids, MI

Lake Tobias Wildlife Park

Halifax, PA

Lehigh Valley Zoo

Schnecksville, PA

Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo

Monroe, LA

Louisville Zoo

Louisville, KY

Lynnwood Park Zoo

Jacksonville, NC

Merced's Applegate Park Zoo

Merced, CA

Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society

West Palm Beach, FL

Panaewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens

Hilo, HI

Peoria Zoo

Peoria, IL

Phoenix Zoo

Phoenix, AZ

Prospect Park Zoo

Brooklyn, NY

Safari West

Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Barbara Zoo

Santa Barbara, CA

Sedgwick County Zoo

Wichita, KS

Southwick's Zoo

Mendon, MA

Staten Island Zoo

Staten Island, NY

Sunset Zoo

Manhattan, KS

Sylvan Heights Bird Park

Scotland Neck, NC

The Farm At Walnut Creek

Sugarcreek, OH

Wild Adventures

Valdosta, GA

Wilderness Trails Zoo

Birch Run, MI

Wildlife World Zoo

Litchfield Park, AZ

Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo & Safari

Minocqua, WI

Your ZooHopper Passport

Turn your wildlife adventures into a Passport

Keep track of the zoos, aquariums, safari parks, and wildlife destinations you've visited—and save the places you want to explore next.

  • Remember every visit
  • Build your wishlist
  • Collect Passport Stamps
  • Share photos & contribute
Create Your Passport

Dan's Passport

Places
12
States
6
Wishlist
9

Passport stamps

Recently visited

  • Bronx ZooBronx, NY
  • Georgia AquariumAtlanta, GA
  • San Diego Zoo Safari ParkEscondido, CA

MY WISHLIST

Monterey Bay AquariumMonterey, CA