Ask the Swan Specialist

Re: 3 Year Old Male Trumpeter Has Become Attached to Baby Pekins?
By:The Regal Swan
Date: 20 June 2016

Hi Shalimar:

The fact that the swans built a nest and did not lay eggs could mean several things. First, most swans are no sexually mature until 2-3 years of age, so you may have 2 juveniles that have absolutely no idea what they are doing. The swan may be amazed by the young ducklings and again has no idea about the babies. However, if this is a male swan, this amazement will not last long as he ages as he may become aggressive toward the ducklings (not necessarily this year, but next).

Finally, you may or may not have a male or female. You could possibly have two females as they will build a nest and lay eggs (non-fertile) but, this egg laying may be too soon for a young female swan. Again because they are so young, if this swan is a female, she may be mesmerized by the ducklings. Normally, female swans will not be so aggressive to other waterfowl unless they have offspring of their own and in this case, will not want any other offspring of any species near their young.

If you have two males, they will also mate and produce a nest, but they will not produce any eggs. So, the question is the age of the swans and if they are truly male and female. The Regal Swan

Messages In This Thread

3 Year Old Male Trumpeter Has Become Attached to Baby Pekins? -- Shalimar -- 19 June 2016
Re: 3 Year Old Male Trumpeter Has Become Attached to Baby Pekins? -- The Regal Swan -- 20 June 2016