Since their legs are set so far back on the body, making land travel awkward, they spend a great deal of time in large bodies of water. Although still rather expensive, they are becoming quite popular in captivity and many are produced each year. As their name states, they have a long black neck on a white body. The bill is gray with a bright red lobe or caruncle on the base of the bill. A white line also extends from the bill to the eye.
Immature swans are gray, but attain their adult colors the second year.
The lobe on the bill may not reach its full size until the birds are three or four years old. Breeding In the wild, the breeding season begins in July and extends through November. Here in the US, they usually begin to lay as early as late January, so care must be taken to ensure that the eggs will not freeze if you live in a cold climate. The nests are close to water in thick vegetation. Provide lots of straw and shavings for the birds to cover the eggs.