COVER STORY: SPECIES PROFILE
THE coscoroba swan (Coscoroba coscoroba) is the smallest of the seven species of swan and differs sufficiently to warrant it being assigned to its own genus. Unlike the Cygnus swans, it lacks the facial skin that approaches the eyes and has a more flattened beak, as broad at its base as it is at its tip. Furthermore, its head appears more rounded due to having more feathering around the face.
When seen in zoos or bird gardens, even people knowledgeable about birds sometimes assume it's a small domestic breed of goose. It has been described as having the head of a goose, the neck of a swan and the body of a duck. But that belies the coyness and elegance it has, which are unique to swans.
In fact, this). The coscoroba's upright stance, and the shape of its broad coral red beak and matching feet and legs, are identical to that of the whistling ducks (Dendrocygnini), to which it is believed also to be closely related.
