Graceful on water, awkward on land, and unmistakably elegant — the black swan is one of Australia’s most unique waterbirds. Once thought to be mythical in Europe, it’s now the official bird emblem of Western Australia. Black swans are highly social and often monogamous, with pairs raising cygnets together. Their curved necks and red bills make them look regal, but they’ll hiss if you get too close. Widespread and stable in numbers, they still face threats from habitat degradation and water pollution in key wetlands.