(Cygnus melancoryphus)
When you take a walk along the coast near Puerto Natales, you will observe all sorts of aquatic birds like Chilean Flamingos (in winter), Petrels, Shags and a great variety of Ducks and Sea Gulls. But what really stick out is the Black-Necked Swans found only in the south of the South American Continent. This great bird represents tranquility and humbleness as it sits solemnly in the water in couples or in small groups. Sometimes it emits a high whistling sound that is almost supersonic. When you try to get close it simply flows away from you. Untouchable, calm and mysterious. The plumage of its torso is so white it’s almost celestial with a contrasting black neck, head and greyish bill. It has a red knob near the base of the bill calling for attention and a white stripe behind eye.
When you take a walk along the coast near Puerto Natales, you will observe all sorts of aquatic birds like Chilean Flamingos (in winter), Petrels, Shags and a great variety of Ducks and Sea Gulls. But what really stick out is the Black-Necked Swans found only in the south of the South American Continent. This great bird represents tranquility and humbleness as it sits solemnly in the water in couples or in small groups. Sometimes it emits a high whistling sound that is almost supersonic. When you try to get close it simply flows away from you. Untouchable, calm and mysterious. The plumage of its torso is so white it’s almost celestial with a contrasting black neck, head and greyish bill. It has a red knob near the base of the bill calling for attention and a white stripe behind eye.
The Chilean poet, diplomat and politician Pablo Neruda, who won the
Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971, wrote in “Art of Birds”
Above the swimming snow
A long black question
Tomorrow is the 40th anniversary
of his death. Already a living legend in life he died of tuberculosis less than
2 weeks after the coup d état led by Pinochet. The remaining question is: did
the junta have a hand in the death of a declared communist and supporter of
Salvador Allende.
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