Black-necked Swan Cygnus melancoryphus
Native to South America, the Black-necked Swan breeds in the far south and migrates to the centre for winter.
The male (left) is larger than the female and has a darker red "caruncle" on his bill.
Head of male (above left) and female (above right) both have a fleshy "caruncle" on the beak
- a salt-extracting gland which also indicates maturity.
Adult male.
Adult female on the nest (has eggs).
The immature swan doesn't yet have the full red knob on the beak.
Black-necked swans with two cygnets. Both male and female are dutiful parents and both will carry the young on their backs.
Above left: a young cygnet. Centre/right: older cygnets: dark neck and head beginning to emerge;
body turns from white to grey and later back to white; bill turns from dark grey to pink and back to dark grey plus red caruncle.
