All Animals

Animal Guide

Black Swan

55 destinations · 28 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

55 destinations across 28 states

55 destinations

African Safari Wildlife Park

Port Clinton, OH

Aggieland Safari

Bryan, TX

Alameda Park Zoo

Alamogordo, NM

Alexandria Zoological Park

Alexandria, LA

Aloha Safari Park

Cameron, NC

Big Joel's Safari

Wright City, MO

Blank Park Zoo

Des Moines, IA

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park

Alto, MI

Brevard Zoo

Melbourne, FL

Brights Zoo

Limestone, TN

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Tampa, FL

Caldwell Zoo

Tyler, TX

Cape May County Park & Zoo

Cape May Court House, NJ

Catoctin Wildlife Preserve

Thurmont, MD

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

Lazy 5 Ranch

Mooresville, NC

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

Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy

Litchfield, CT

Safari West

Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Barbara Zoo

Santa Barbara, CA

Sedgwick County Zoo

Wichita, KS

Southland Safari

Yuma, TN

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

Tiger World

Rockwell, NC

Timbavati Wildlife Park

Wisconsin Dells, WI

Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo

Tupelo, MS

Wild Adventures

Valdosta, GA

Wilderness Trails Zoo

Birch Run, MI

Wildlife World Zoo

Litchfield Park, AZ

Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo & Safari

Minocqua, WI

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