Two of the 8 cygnets of a swan family on our lake was killed by a neighbor dog. Unfortunately my kids saw it happened and got very upset. I tried to reassure them that the swans, once they realized they were dead, have already moved on and are instinctively over it.

While I'm not sure that's true, I wanted my kids to not feel bad for the parents. But I wanted to ask if it was true or not. I have heard swans can mourn their mate's passing, as that, for the most part, can be a life-long bond. But do they mourn the passing of their cygnets too if they die?

Thanks.

Rick