A lonely black swan was spotted swimming in the Evros Delta in northeast Greece in a rare sight that delighted conservationists as the species is extremely rare outside its native Australia.
Some speculate that the swan escaped from captivity and sought refuge at Evros Delta where hundreds of white swans can be found.
Conservationists are monitoring its movements and uploaded photos of the bird swimming in the river.
The black swan is a rare sight outside Australia
In their native Australia, black swans are quite common. They’re found in wetlands and around bodies of fresh, brackish, and even saltwater. Their population is estimated around 500,000 individuals worldwide.
However, outside of Australia, they’re much less frequent. You might see them in zoos or parks with ornamental lakes, but in the wild, they’re uncommon. In some places like Greece, seeing one outside of captivity would be quite rare.
Research suggests that black swans might have a weaker immune system compared to white swans, making them more susceptible to certain diseases. Black swans might have a slight edge in terms of length and wingspan compared to some white swan species.
Evros Delta is an important wetland in Greece
Evros Delta is an important wetland with big value for wildlife and humanity, on a national, European and international level. In Evros Delta hundreds of thousands of birds find shelter and food all year round.
In the southeastern part of Evros prefecture, next to the border with Turkey, Evros River creates an extensive delta of international ecological importance with a total surface area of 188 km².
Its springs lie on the mountains of Rila in Bulgaria, south of Sofia. It is the second biggest river in Eastern Europe with a total length of 528 km and is characterized by the large amount of sediment that it transfers and deposits on its delta.
The climate of the Evros Delta area is Mediterranean although it is affected by continental climate conditions.
The winter is severe and early or late frosts are often observed. Evros Delta constitutes one of the most important wetlands, not only in Greece but also in Europe.
A surface area of 9.500 ha (8.000 ha of land and 1.500 ha of water) has been included in the list of protected wetlands of the International Ramsar Convention (1971) because it hosts important bird species.
Evros Delta is one of the most important areas in Greece and Europe for the survival of many species, some of which are rare or threatened.
It is the most important place in Greece for the three species of European Swans (Mute, Whooper and Bewick’s). So it is also for Geese. Significant numbers of rare species of raptors are seen especially in winter.
Spotted Eagles, Imperial Eagles and White-tailed Eagles are observed daily. Other important species that are observed in Evros Delta are the Dalmatian Pelican, the Pygmy Cormorant, the Bittern, the Ferruginous Duck, the Red Kite, the Spoonbill, the Glossy Ibis, the Collared Pratincole.
Except for birds, the presence of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and fish is very important in Evros Delta. In the River and the adjacent area, 46 species of fish have been recorded.
Related: Evros Is Home to “European Village of Storks”
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