Juvenile swans usually learn to fly somewhere between 5-8 months of age depending on the species and the individual swan. The time that it takes to grow flight feathers is the ultimate determination for flight. Should there be a problem in the maturation of flight feathers or a bird defect, then flight would either be delayed or completely non-existent.

Weather is also a determining factor. The cygnets may have flight feathers and know how to fly, but if there are extreme weather conditions, snow, high winds, pounding rain, sleet, etc., the swans may not be able to take-off or maintain flight.

Conversely, if the habitat conditions are ideal, the swans may never fly from the area. In this case, they may only fly at low levels around the pond and not need to reach high altitudes which may cause observers to think that the birds cannot fly or cannot fly very well. The Regal Swan