A big threat!!!! They can and will kill a swan. Just like a bobcat, fox, etc., they will go for the head or neck and the bird will be defenseless if grabbed in the wrong way. The birds may never get a chance to use their wings if accosted quickly. A black swan is much smaller than a mute swan and we have known small foxes and large coyotes and bobcats to kill the larger mute swans. Also, in the cold habitat, you will need to make accommodations (possibly indoors) for the swans in the winter as the black swan is from Australia (Southern Hemisphere) and may not make it through a harsh winter.

You will need to place electrical fencing above and below your fence as well as use poultry fencing on the bottom so if the animal does get through the electrical fence, it cannot dig under to get to the swans. Swans usually stay in the water at night, but even then, they can be killed by bobcats. We have worked with a facility in which bobcats crossed a water moat to kill swans. So, do not take anything for granted, especially, in the winter. If a coyote or any other animal senses an easy meal, it does not matter the time of day or year, they will feed. Good luck. The Regal Swan