This is nature's way to allow the young cygnets and the parents to recognize each other and bond. As the cygnets age, approximately 6 months of age, they begin to change to their adult coloration. Once they begin to look like an adult, the parents begin to recognize them as a rival to the habitat and mate. At approximately one year of age, the juveniles look more like another adult swan and are then chased from the habitat prior to the next nesting season. By that time, the parents have already taught their young all that they can teach them and it is time to start another family and begin the "how to be a swan" lessons once again. The juveniles must then find a mate to start their own family. The Regal Swan