We have---had two mute swans. Our female just died over the weekend. We got them February of 2008, they were yearlings and they just mated this year. We are not positive of what the female swan died from. I don't think the vet really knew what to do anyway. I am curious if you have any input.

About two weeks ago, the female got off the nest and never came back. She was staying away from the nest and the male swan. The male swan took over the nest and has been carrying for it ever since. The female's behavior was different but had no clue that she was sick. She still seemed to be eating, but how much, we are not sure. Thursday night, we found her on the pond and she would stretch out her neck and open her mouth. She did this repeatedly. I called the vet and they thought possible she swallowed something and it was stuck. The next day wasn't much better she just wasn't doing it with such stress. I think she was exhausted.

Saturday morning, we caught her and got her to the vet. They sent a device down her throat and took a look. Nothing blocking her airway but it was definitely red. Also, appeared to be white puffy spots (shaped like clouds), which I have no idea if normal or not. Well, during all of this looking and all the stress, she died. She was making gurgling sounds, so possibly pneumonia but I have no idea.

I am very concerned for the male. The eggs should be hatching any day. May 20 would of been 36 days from the first egg. He is very tired, not eating and not drinking. He just sits on the nest. He is right beside the water and food but won't move. We even tried to push water right to him and food, so that he could eat and drink without getting off the nest.

Yesterday was really hot, and the sun just beat on him from 3-8 p.m. I guess he finally did get in the pond this morning and possibly could be eating. I guess there isn't anything we can do but wait?????

We are not even sure what to do when the babies hatch. I know that what I have read indicates that they will care for their young, but I read too that we should be feeding them some sort of food.

Do you have any advice?

Thank you,

Broshel