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A Roman named Juvenal jokingly referred to a 'black swan' as an example of a "rara avis", a 'rare bird'. He would not have known that such birds existed in Australia. Black Swan appeared as a tavern or inn sign in the 16th century, at which time it may have been meant to be a signal what a "rara avis", a remarkable person, the landlord was. Later references may well be Australian, since a black swan is the emblem of Western Australia. A naval reference is also possible, since HMS Black Swan was active between 1939 and 1956.

Sometimes the Black Swan is affectionately known as the 'Mucky Duck'.