Black-necked Swan

Cygnus melancoryphus

The black-necked swan (Cygnus melancoryphus) is a South American swan of lakes, marshes, lagoons, and slow wetlands from southern South America north into parts of Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. Its white body, black neck, red bill knob, and delicate pink legs make it easy to distinguish from the Australian black swan. Pairs often feed in shallow water on aquatic vegetation, algae, and small animal material, and cygnets may ride on an adult's back.

In aviaries, parks, and managed waterfowl collections, black-necked swans need clean water, grazing or planted margins, secure night areas, and protection from predators and severe weather. They are pair-forming birds, so introductions should be managed calmly and with enough space to reduce aggression. Diets usually combine waterfowl pellets, greens, and access to natural forage rather than bread. Breeding records are useful where collections maintain separate swan species and want to avoid accidental hybridization or close inbreeding.