Stunning photos show rare Australian black swan swimming in UK river

By Sophie Watson via SWNS

Majestic pictures show a rarely-seen black swan feeding with a bevy of white swans on the River Severn in the UK – 9,000 miles away from its native Australia.

The charcoal-colored bird, with a distinctive red beak, has been making feathered friends with Worcester’s famous swan population since it arrived last week.

Stunning photographs show the female swan and its white cousin forming a heart shape with their necks as they feed in the river close to the cathedral.

Pensioner Chris Bright, 69, snapped the elegant scene while walking along the city's South Quay on Wednesday, March 1.

She said: “It was a shock to see the black swan especially because it was swimming so confidently with the other white swans.

“It was so assured and didn’t seem put off by the white swans, which is odd because normally swans are very shy if they mix with a new flock.

“The black swan is definitely female and I have never seen it before in Worcester.

“It must have veered off course quite a way because they come from Australia but it’s a real treat to see her with the city’s swans.

“It’s very beautiful and is said to have been in the city for about a week now and got lots of attention from the public.”

Black swans or Cygnus Atratus are native to Australia but have been spotted in the UK on occasion.

Chris, who volunteers for the Swan Food Project, added: “The swans in this spot get fed here twice a day by the charity.

“I suspect this is why the black swan chose this spot as it knows it is going to get fed and seems very happy here.”