Unfortunately, nature may have already takens its course. If the parents have abandoned the cygnet, there is a good possibility and probability that something is wrong with the young bird. The parents will not allow something sick or injured to stay around the rest of the healthy flock to draw predators to everyone.

If there is a waterfowl/wildlife rehabilitation center near you, you should pick-up the bird and take it to them to see if they can successfully raise it. If there is nothing wrong with the bird other than it is the runt and can't keep up, then you might have successs in raising it. The bad news is that a cygnet raised by humans imprint (meaning they think they are people instead of birds) and will be relegated to living in a very controlled captive setting as they will not learn how to protect themselves. They will never be allowed out on a pond at night due to the lack of fear and sense to protect themselves.

By 3 weeks, the young bird must be pinioned (rendered unable to fly) so that it cannot return to the flock. This procedure is mandated by most state laws.

We are already hearing about a flock of 12 swans in Colonial Beach, Virginia that wil be shot in October as the state has petitioned to have them killed and removed from the area. So, returning the cygnet back to the flock may not be a good idea as once the state begins to cull one flock, they will begin to cull many flocks.

If you cannot find anyone and still want to take the young bird, please send another post with your phone number to the administrator and they will give us your phone number and we will try to put you in contact with someone in your area. The Regal Swan