PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
The black swan is an Australian bird that flew to New Zealand last century at the same time as acclimatisers were releasing it for game-bird hunting.
They are now well-established in wetlands throughout New Zealand.
Nesting starts as early as July.
On average five to six pale-green eggs are laid in large mounds of vegetation near the water’s edge and incubated for about 36 days mostly, but not exclusively, by the female.
Young swans fledge after about 120 days.
