Debrecen4U June 17, 2025

Black swans have arrived at Debrecen Zoo

The three laying, and one 2018 and two 2022 hatchlings arrived at Debrecen Zoo as a donation, not just from anywhere, but directly from the Attica Zoological Park in Athens, and have already taken possession of their new home, the Swan Lake, where guests can admire them.

The black swan is the only species of swan that has exclusively black plumage in natural conditions, only the lower part of its wings have white secondary rowing feathers, which become visible during flight. With its special colouration, elegant posture and red beak, it is considered one of the most spectacular water birds in the world. 

It is a native species of Australia, which occurs in the lakes, riverbanks and marshlands of the continent, often in huge flocks of up to thousands. It is a real rarity on the European continent: currently less than 300 individuals live in zoos. The species became a symbol in the 18th century: for the Western world, the word “swan” was practically synonymous with a snow-white bird until this dark-feathered species was discovered during the discovery of Australia. This is where the expression “one black swan is enough to disprove the theory” comes from, which is still used in scientific thinking.

The species is also an important part of Australia’s cultural heritage: it is the official bird of Western Australia, which was included in the state’s coat of arms and flag in 1973 with the approval of Queen Elizabeth II. The Swan River, which bears the state’s name, was also named after it in 1697, after Dutch explorers.

The black swan is not an endangered species, but habitat conversion and invasive species can threaten its population in different regions. The species is long-lived, often living in monogamous pair bonds for decades, and carefully rearing its young, making it an ideal candidate for conservation programmes.

“With the return of the black swan, visitors will have the opportunity to meet another unique species in Debrecen Zoo’s  ever-growing natural diversity collection, which will continue to offer discovery, experience and learning during the summer season,” the zoo’s  statement concludes.

Source:dehir.hu |Photo credit:Pixabay