Black-Necked Swan

Description:

Considered Least Concern by the IUCN. This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size may be moderately small to large, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). --From http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/10060...

Habitat:

Black-necked swans are found only in South America, spread throughout four countries: Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Brazil. They tend to reside in large flocks (up to 5,000 birds) during the non-breeding season, but when breeding they split into highly territorial pairs. During non-breeding months, many of these swans can be found in Uruguay and southern Brazil. The breeding season initiates a migration south to areas such as Patagonia and the Falkland Islands. Black-necked swans breed from July to September. This bird inhabits mostly costal areas, as well as inland lakes. Black-necked swans can be found in both marine and freshwater areas with an abundance of vegetation.

Notes:

Taken at Safari West in Santa Rosa, CA.