The first question is can the bird fly? If it can fly, then this would be a viable answer of how it got to your pond. However, if it is pinioned or clipped and cannot fly, then someone placed it on your lake.

What species is the swan? (Is it a Mute Swan (orange beak) or Trumpeter (black beak) or Tundra (black beak with small yellow area near its eye. This information will provide you with more information regarding whether it is a captive swan or a native swan that just appeared in your area (although mute swans have been known to come from not only captive settings but feral wild settings).

Swans appearing alone on the pond does not mean that it does not mate for life. It may mean that the swan is a juvenile and has not paired with a mate or something happened to its mate and it flew away from harm.

There is no way to tell the gender unless it is physically sexed or DNA Sequencing is conducted. The temperament of the bird is going to depend on species as well as the individuality of the bird.

In all likelihood, unless the bird likes the area tremendously, i.e., is fed supplemental food, provided shelter from inclement weather and protected from predators (humans and animals), it will probably disappear as fast as it appeared. Your pond may be a stopping area to get rest before it heads to its original destination. Having said this, there still is a chance that it might stay. Should you entertain the thought of getting it a mate, etc., you will need to check with your local Fish & Game Commission to see if you need a permit to keep the swan (depending on species).

We hope that this helps you understand the swan's needs. Swans are high maintenance birds requiring constant humane care and veterinary medical attention. The Regal Swan