Cygnus atratus – the black swan – is widespread over much of Australia, but is most especially associated with Western Australia.
From 1854 through to Federation in 1901 it appeared on every West Australian postage stamp.
It is still the local “heraldic beast”: prominent on WA’s flag and Coat of Arms.
This species is not endangered, and enjoys protected status in all Australian states and territories.
Black swans are mostly monogamous and both parents are very attentive to their offspring.
Breeding usually occurs in winter.
Spring is generally the best/easiest season to observe parents and cygnets on “open” water.
I took the photo at 3.16 pm on 19 September at Lake Claremont.
Perth’s wettest winter of the current century has been a boon to most animals and plants.
”Paradoxically”, however, it has (temporarily) made key local wetlands relatively “unattractive” to many water bird species.
19.09.2025 certainly yielded the smallest number of individual birds – and of different species – that I have ever seen at Lake Claremont!
Come November, it will almost certainly be an entirely different story.
Migratory species will have arrived… the water will be warmer, shallower and more “productive”… the lake’s fringes should then prove very inviting to wading birds.