What does it mean when a baby swan rests his leg on his back while he is remains still and travelling? There is a baby swan in our bay that has been rejected by his family. This poor swan had fishing line wrapped around his beak and left to die. My husband was able to cut the fishing line to release his beak. He was very weak at the time. He actually swallowed the fishing line. We were unsure if there was a hook attached so let it take its course. The swan seems to be happy and healthy now. But noticed that his back leg is resting on his back and he is not putting it down when he travels.