Bird enthusiast has another thing to look for when visiting Penang bird Park comes December. After import ban was lifted, the park saw a new breed of rare water birds making its way into Penang most famous birdpark. Visitor can now view five rare Black Swans and five Mute Swans which were imported from Holland at a hefty cost of RM50, 000.
The Black Swans with a scientific name – Signus Atratus, is a large water bird which breeds mainly in the southeast and southwest regions of Australia. Black Swans are mostly black feathered, with a line of white flight feathers of the wing edges that sometimes show when at rest, and are conspicuous in flight. The bill is bright red, with a pale bar and tip; and legs and feet are greyish-black. Cobs (males) are slightly larger than pens (females), with a longer and straighter bill. Cygnets (immature birds) are a greyish-brown with pale-edged feathers.
The migrating mute swans species (Signus Olor) are normally found in the wilderness and temperate areas such as Europe. The Mute Swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males averaging about 12 kg (27 lbs) and females more than 9 kg (20 lbs). An exceptionally enormous Polish cob weighed almost 23 kg (50 lbs), surpassing the longer-bodied Trumpeter Swan to make it the heaviest waterfowl ever recorded. Its size, orange-reddish bill and white plumage make this swan almost unmistakable at close quarters. Surveys done by airplane, however, often mistake the species, creating questionable counts. The most similar species is the Whooper Swan, but it has a yellow and black bill, lacks the curved “swan” neck, is longer and heavier, and lacks the characteristic projection above the bill.
The park plans to breed the cygnets (immature birds) of both species and supply them to others Zoo’s in Malaysia. According to the park director, this is the 2nd attempts by the park after more than 10 years ago, more than 10 swans has been devoured by python from the nearby pond. Others new bird can be found here include African guinea fowls, three species of African starling, barbets, hornbills and finches from Africa.
Photo by Flickr
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