Most likely, the swan will die especially since he is a young bird. If you can catch him or get a local wildlife rehabilitation center to help, this is going to be his only chance for survival. He will need to come indoors for the winter months.

If you can get him to come up to you by feeding him bread, you might be able to gently grab him by the neck, watching out for his wings and claws and get him to a wildlife center if no one else can help you.

What color were the parent's beak? Was it orange (Mute Swans) or Black (Trumpeter or Tundra Swans)?

In any case, you may need a permit to possess (usually not to help something in distress) the swan after its capture so you will probably need to get him to a wildlife/waterfowl facility. If you do not need a permit and you can comfortably house him in a safe secure location (garage or barn) away from predators and inclement weather, you can hold him over for the winter and place him back on the pond during the spring. If he is able to fly by then, he will at least be older and stronger to fend for himself.

Predators during the winter are a concern as they are looking for an easy prey and ice will allow them to get to the swan by walking directly out to the bird. The swan will be unable to escape by flying or leaving an iced area. Food will be a major problem if the ice is frozen. Additionally the bird may be so young that its feathers may not be developed and it cannot keep itself warm or dry which will encourage an infection, i.e., cold or pneumonia.

Do you know why it cannot fly? Was it injured or was their some sort of defect? Could it have been a runt and the parents just left it because it was too young to fly with the rest of the family? If you are able to capture it and get it to a rehabilitaiton center, they will have veterinarians that can determine if there is an injury or defect which may cause the swan to be placed in a captive setting rather than returning to the wild. We hope we have been some help. Please let us know how this situation works out. The Regal Swan