Yes, the male swan is responsible for building the nest. He will pull at leaves, grasses and other materials, stack the nesting material and will sit in the middle of the vegetation to form the egg bowl. He will rock back and forth as well as move around like a helicopter hovering to ensure that a nesting cavity is comfortable for the mother swan and eventual cygnets.

Having said this, mother swan will let the male know if he has done a good job. We have seen females totally refuse to sit on a nest due to the nest being placed in the wrong area, i.e., sunlight with no shade, etc. The female will let him know that he needs to build a new nest in the correct spot. He usually rebuilds to keep peace in the family. The Regal Swan