The
black swan (
Cygnus atratus) is a large
waterbird, a species of
swan, which breeds mainly in the southeast and southwest regions of
Australia. The species was hunted to extinction in
New Zealand, but later reintroduced. Within Australia they are nomadic, with erratic migration patterns dependent upon climatic conditions. Black swans are large birds with mostly black
plumage and red
bills. They are monogamous breeders that share incubation duties and cygnet rearing between the sexes.