This attribute depends on the individual male and species of swan. Black-Necked males will allow the cygnets to ride on their back. Most other male swan species usually do not like the cygnets riding on their backs. They also do not usually sit on the cygnets in the nest like the mother swan.

If the cygnets are very young, we would suggest that you watch the behavior between the male and the cygnets to see if he is at least hanging around them to protect them from predators. If he is not, we would suggest that you (carefully as the male will be extremely defensive) capture the cygnets and take them to a wildlife rehabilitation center so they may have a chance to assimiliate back into a pond setting.

Even though they may need to be kept in a captive setting, it will not need to be as restrictive as one in which the cygnets are raised extensively around humans. Imprinting will result from extensive human interaction which can cause the young swans to think they are humans instead of swans.

The cygnets as they grow older, will not be able to forage for food, protect themselves from predators or take on other natural swan behaviors as they have not been raised by the swan parent. This is a major concern when taking cygnets from any parent. However, if the parent is acting aggressively or ignoring the young, then it is in the best interest of the young birds to rescue and try to raise them in a wildlife/waterfowl rehabilitation setting. They may have a better chance of survival, but there are still no guarantees that they will not succumb to illness, injury or other ailments when raised by humans. Raising swans is a 24 hour 7 day labor intensive process. The Regal Swan