Are black swan's rare (1 Viewer)

[MBP1]

I spotted a black swan swimming around with some mute swan's and was just wandering if they were rare or not.

 

[Lawts]

It's not a British bird, so rare in what context?

 

[Larry Sweetland]

There aren't many of them in Britain, as they're a bird that's native to Australia. A few have been imported here over the years. Beautiful birds.

 

[spuggyhawk]

They are native to Australia and where brought over her as ornamental birds.
I'm not sure but i think there are records of them breeding here..
However the answer to your question is they are rarer here than Australia
Jon

 

[birdboybowley]

There are quite a few breeding pairs now. I know of 3 in West Sussex alone...there's prob more breeding pairs of BS in the UK than orioles!

 

[binfield]

Quite a few here in south devon.I work on a local estuary and see them daily. I believe there movement is trying to be controlled, Don't know the reason why, maybe to do with breeding with local swan population.

 

[birdboybowley]

...maybe to do with breeding with local swan population.

Which was originally introduced too

 

[Jeremy Squire]

I think you can tick them in the Netherlands for your western p list if you are that way inclined. There is a naturalised population. Not my style. Might as well go to slimbridge and tick them.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

They breed in several places in East Anglia: Strumpshaw Fen has a pair or two that raised young this year.
They brighten up a dull day!

 

[Fozzybear]

They breed in several places in East Anglia: Strumpshaw Fen has a pair or two that raised young this year.
They brighten up a dull day!

That's nice to see. Not sure if there are implications of their presence for the indigenous wildlife but certainly a good bird to see around the place. I've seen them at Hanningfield Reservoir and Manningtree in Essex and at Cley in Norfolk.

 

[spuggyhawk]

I think i heard somewhere that they are more aggresive than our swans and show that aggresion towards our swans, maybe thats why movements are being restricted.
Jon

 

[Tortoise]

I was told they are very aggressive to other birds in their territory when nesting. Don't know if there are other issues.

Tom

 

[birdboybowley]

Must be a swan thing - Mute's are equally as nasty!!

 

[liverpool_bob]

Must be a swan thing - Mute's are equally as nasty!!

Watch out for the ITV documentary "Boozed up swans abroad"