A nearly two-decade study of birds living in Melbourne's Albert Park

August 25, 2024 10:14 AM

A nearly two-decade study of birds living in Melbourne's Albert Park has revealed surprising relationship patterns between black swans.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (6 comments total)

Swans are monogamous, just not all the time

I hear ya, swans
posted by chavenet at 10:40 AM on August 25 [2 favorites]

one myth that has some truth ❤️
posted by HearHere at 11:48 AM on August 25

I live near this park and spend a lot of time there. Seeing the swans never fails to lift my spirits. It’s always exciting to see the newborn cygnets.
posted by awfurby at 12:18 PM on August 25 [1 favorite]

Those are beautiful! I don't think I'd ever seen a black one. I was afraid the "surprising relationship patterns" would be that they gang up together to attack any hapless person nearby with a sandwich, but I guess that's just Michigan swans.
posted by pangolin party at 1:18 PM on August 25

The swans are very peaceful - people using the park have to be mindful to get out of their way though, so as not to disturb their breeding and nesting.

That doesn't apply to the F1 Grand Prix that's held in the park every year - those people can make as much noise and mess as they like apparently.

There was a study into the effect of the GP on the swans - it found that the swans experience heightened levels of stress in the weeks before and during the GP, but they don't leave the park.
posted by awfurby at 9:54 PM on August 25

Why they're just like people! Apart from the easily triggered murderous rage part, that is.
Oh, wait a minute...
posted by y2karl at 8:47 PM on August 26