Size: Height; 1m. Wingspan; 1.57m. Weight; 3-4 kg

Habitat and Distribution: The Coscoroba Swan breeds in swamps and lagoons in South America from southern Chile and central Argentina south to Tierra del Fuego. In winter it flies north to central Chile, northern Argentina, Uruguay and the south east tip of Brazil.

Age: 20 to 36 years.

Groups and Breeding: Outside of the breeding season these swans live in flocks of less than 100 birds. They form strong permanent bonds with mates and become highly territorial whilst breeding. Females will lay four to seven eggs which are incubated for around 35 days. During this time and once the eggs are hatched the male will stand guard against potential predators. Fledging occurs after 120 days.

Diet: Grasses and small water plants, mussels and fish spawn.

• The Coscoroba Swan is the smallest species of swan.
• The Coscoroba is a distinct species somewhat intermediate between swans and geese, yet some experts consider it to be most closely related to the whistling duck.
• The call of this swan is a distinctive ‘cos-cor-roo’ hence the common name coscoroba.
• These swans are known to adopt a feeding technique similar to that of ducks and flamingos in that they scoop up water and food and squeeze it through comb-like lamellae on the sides of their mouths to filter out the food.
• These swans cannot soar or glide extensively during flight but must continually flap their wings.
• Coscoroba Swans lose their flight feathers immediately after the breeding season, therefore they are flightless for several weeks