Great question! Yes, swans do know their names, recognize people and voices. Just like any other animal, if there is food and a human to provide the food, the animal/bird will become a very long lost pal!!

On another note, swans like other animals, will recognize when they are being called, but depending on the reasoning behind the call, will choose when and if to answer. For instance, if the swan is hungry and knows that food is being provided for food's sake, it will probably respond by acknowledging your presence through head raising or what we call a bleeping/snorting sound and will approach you. If however, you are providing food in order to try to capture the swan or for whatever reason the swan perceives besides just food (or if they are not hungry), the bird will ignore you.

Cygnets learn in a very short time what food and a snack is and will immediately associate a human with the food or snack if the human regularly provides it. The swans are great and interesting birds to watch and interact. Enjoy! The Regal Swan