| |
|
|
| |
| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
|
| COMMON
NAME: |
Coscoroba
swan |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Aves |
| ORDER: |
Anseriformes |
| FAMILY: |
Anatidae |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Coscoroba
coscoroba (a swanlike diving bird) |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| DESCRIPTION: |
This
is a large white bird with bright pink duck-shaped
bill and feet. |
|
| SIZE: |
87.5-112.5 cm (35-45 in.) |
|
| WEIGHT: |
3.18-3.63 kg (7-8 lb.) |
|
| DIET: |
Includes
various plants, aquatic insects, fish spawn and
at times small crustaceans |
|
| INCUBATION: |
36 days |
| CLUTCH
SIZE |
4-7
eggs |
|
| SEXUAL
MATURITY: |
Approximately
3 years |
|
| LIFE
SPAN: |
Approximately
36 years |
|
| RANGE: |
South
America; winter as far south as central Chile and
northern Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay |
|
| HABITAT: |
Inhabit
lagoons and swamps |
|
| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
Unknown |
|
| STATUS: |
IUCN |
Not
listed |
| CITES |
Appendix
II |
| USFWS |
Not
listed |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| 1. |
These
swans get their name because of their loud, ringing
'cos-cor-ooo' when vocalizing. |
|
|
| 2. |
The Coscoroba swan is a taxonomic conundrum. It
is swanlike overall, but its honking voice and gooselike
head make it somewhat indistinguishable. Its bill
looks like a duck and it is the only swan with offspring
that look like tree ducks. Some scientists, who
believe it to be a member of the swans, think there
is a link either between swans and true geese, or
between swans and whistling ducks. |
|
|
| 3. |
Coscorobas display typical swanlike threats that
involve lifting their folded wings to make them
appear larger. Aggressive wing flapping is also
a typical threat. |
|
|
| 4. |
Unlike
typical swans, Coscorobas are not known to have
a triumph ceremony. Such ceremonies are when a male
attacks a rival suitor, then returns to his potential
mate to perform an elaborate ceremony while posturing
and calling. |
|
|
| 5. |
Coscorobas,
in addition to most ducks and flamingos, utilize
a method of feeding which involves combining water
and edible material in their bill and then squirting
the water out through comb-like lamellae on the
sides of their mouth. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Although
its population is not abundant, the Coscoroba
swan is not in a state of drastic decline. The
most serious threat to its continued survival
is loss of habitat.
These
swans, with their aquatic feeding needs, are important
in maintaining and controlling the growth of aquatic
vegetation.
The
flightless young are also a source of food for
small predators.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Austin,
G. Birds of the World. New York. Golden Press,
Inc., 1961. |
|
|
Gotch, A.F. Birds - Their Latin Names Explained.
UK. Blandford Books Ltd., 1981. |
|
|
Johnsgard, P. Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the
World. Lincoln. Univ. Of Neb. Press, 1978.
|
|
| Scott,
P. A Coloured Key of the Wildfowl of the World.
Slimbridge, England. The Wildfowl Trust. 1988. |
|
| Todd,
F.S. Natural History of Waterfowl. San Diego,
Ca. Ibis Publishing Co., 1996. |
|
|
|
|
|
