Black Swan

1-1.4 m; span 1.6-2 m. Male larger. World's only mostly black swan; white flight feathers conspicuous in flight, often visible at rest. Male: bill and neck longer and straighter. Immature: dull grey-brown with pale edges to feathers; flight feathers dingy white, tipped black. Singles to companies of thousands. Becomes flightless during post-breeding moult, when many thousands gather on secure waters: e.g. L. George (NSW), Moulting Lagoon (Tas.) and Coorong (SA). Travelling birds frequently heard overhead at night.

CORNER COUNTRY On the 900 km journey by road and track from Brisbane west to Cunnamulla, and beyond to Quilpie, Windorah and Birdsville, it is possible to see some outstanding outback specialties in some splendid country. Letter-winged Kite is the only raptor that can feed at night and the corner country is near the centre of its normal range. It's population fluctuates and increases during periodic eruptions of its primary prey, the endemic Long-haired Rat. Inland Dotterel, Crimson Chat and Orange Chat, Hall's Babbler and two quail-thrushes are just some of the other regional specialties to look out for. Much of this area is comprised of Mitchell Grass plains and mulga shrubland and a series of seasonally flooded wetlands which can teem with birdlife in good seasons. Some parts of this route, especially west of Windorah, are very rough, so a 4WD is recommended, especially for people intending to tackle the Birdsville Track from the north. It would also be wise not to attempt this journey during the intense heat of summer (Oct-Apr). On areas of black soil plain as little as 10 mm of rain will make unsealed roads impassable.

Localised Australian endemics Grey Grasswren, Eyrean Grasswren, Hall's Babbler.

Other key Australian Endemics Letter-winged Kite, Black Falcon, Spinifex Pigeon, Flock Bronzewing, Bourke's Parrot, Inland Dotterel, White-browed Treecreeper, Spotted Bowerbird, White-winged Fairywren, Variegated Fairywren, Crimson Chat, Orange Chat, Gibberbird, Chestnut-crowned Babbler, Crested Bellbird, Chirruping Wedgebill, Chestnut-breasted Quail-Thrush (castaneothorax race), Cinnamon Quail-Thrush, Apostlebird, Little Crow, Masked Woodswallow, Ground Cuckooshrike, Plum-headed Finch, Brown Songlark.

Others Spotted Harrier, Brolga, Australian Bustard, Australian Pratincole, Australian Owlet-nightjar, Grey-headed Honeyeater Grey-crowned Babbler.