Hello.
We recently adopted a 1-year-old Mute Swan from a Hotel where the mother/father where nesting again and terrorizing this 1-year-old. We knew NOTHING... but being a devoted animal lover, I'm doing the best I can. For instance, they (hotel staff) told us nothing about relocating, so when we got home, and opened the box, the swan swam straight across the pond, into the woods and down in the creek, where he lived for 2 days under a bridge (I visited and fed every hour or so). I finally decided to catch him and reintroduce him to the pond. I stood guard of the wood line for 4 hours while he swam in the pond and he eventually came out and sat down next to me. And he's still here 3 weeks later.

NOW THE PROBLEMS (that I can't seem to get a true answer on).

1) The Hotel told us he was a male. So we've put a deposit on a female who will be ready in September. Just today the Hotel informed me, "they weren't really sure if he was a male". Not having another swan to compare his size / knob to, is there anyway to find out the sex? What if we're wrong and we wind up with 2 females?

2) He was not pinioned but rather "clipped" the day we picked him/her up. The local aviation vet expert basically told me he will fly away as soon as his feathers grow back which depends if he molted yet or not (unless we find a mate). She said they molt once in the spring and once in the fall. And if he's already molted, then was clipped, we should be good. Is there anyway to tell if he's molting/molted/will molt? And will he stay once we have a mate regardless of his wings? And again, what happens if we wind up with 2 females? Will this swan just take off? I took some video of him "spreading his wings" and you can still see the very short feathers that were clipped. And what about future clippings?

By the way, the deposit on the female hasn't been born yet and will be pinioned at 2 days.

Otherwise, Conrad (his name) seems very happy, loves the fountain (actually plays with it) and is getting fed regularly, half corn, half pellet. We are planning on building a pen and feeder soon for introduction of another. He does come towards me for small bread treats but not within arms reach, yet. And he has stopped running from me when I walk towards his feeder. However he will run or take to the pond if I attempt to walk towards him.

I AM SOOOO happy to have found your website. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. I thank you so much for your time!

Robyn