If the odd swan out is a female, she may have a better chance of sticking around. However, if the swan is a male, the other males will chase and possibly injure him to remove him from the territory during nesting season.

If the swans are on your private lake, you will need to ensure that the cygnets are pinioned (this procedure needs to be done between 1-3 weeks of age) so they cannot fly from your habitat.

In Washington state, as many other states, wildlife officials are entering ponds and lakes and killing Mute Swans under the guise that they are aggressive and invasive. This because, especially in the Pacific, Atlantic and Mid-west Flyways, the ulterior motive is to place Trumpeter Swans on lakes and ponds so that they can eventually be hunted as a Trophy Waterfowl, thus enhancing wildlife coffers which have shrinking budgets.

So, if your swans can fly, they will probably be killed if they get off your property. This also poses another problem in finding mates because if the birds are mating pairs, it means more offspring and you may need a permit as a breeder or as a swan owner. We hope this information is of benefit. The Regal Swan