Black swan
Cygnus atratus
For years, a nesting pair of black swans visited the Park annually to raise their cygnets. More recently, these numbers have increased with up to twenty swans sighted in a season.
As the largest of our water birds, the swans cut a dramatic figure as they glide through the waters of Horse Swamp during their breeding season. Interestingly, the black swans construct their nests on the man-made islands within the wetland, providing much needed refuge from predators for these birds and their young.
Black swans are also referred to by their Noongar name, maali.
FAUNA PROFILE
| Family | Anatidae |
| Scientific name | Cygnus atratus |
| Noongar name | maali |
| Common name | black swan |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Habitat | wetlands |
| Park occurrence | seasonal visitors |