Baby swans

Hi, Barbara Jean! Mute swans nest in or very near the shallow water on the edges of lakes, ponds, or marshes. The pair builds a large mound out of waterside vegetation and hollows out a little bowl in the center of the mound for the eggs.

When baby mute swans hatch, they are already covered with down and their eyes are open. They leave the nest bowl within 24 hours of hatching. The babies, called cygnets, are able to swim and to feed as soon as they leave the nest. So they go from the nest bowl to the water immediately.

When the cygnets grow tired in the water, they climb up onto the back of the floating mother. The mother will often give them a nudge with her beak to help them onto her back.

 Scroll down to confirm that they can swim and feed at hatching. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mute_Swan/lifehistory

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mute_Swan

Here's a really good picture of the cygnets climbing onto the back of a pen (female swans are pens; males are cobs). http://www.trackpads.com/forum/animals-pets-wildlife/913826-all-aboard-mother-swan-takes-babies-under-her-wing-trip-across-pond.html

Hope this helps!

Unknown said:

I can't see any current thread that would fit  my question so I started this one.

I have seen baby swans riding on their mother's back. Does anyone know how they  get onto her back after they hatch?  I assume they hatch on land 

Thanks 

I am hoping that our mute swans produce a brood very soon. in 2007 they had 8, 8 in 2008 and 9 in 2009. Wonder how many she will have this year?

Here is a picture of the 2009 brood.

Thanks Tiger they are beautiful!! 

Thanks for gorgeous picture of the Mum and baby swans, Tiger.  How happy they all look.

Great picture Tiger - a very elegant lady, and very well-behaved children - cygnets don't seem to scatter hither and yon like ducklings do, they are much better at staying with mum!

Tiger we live and learn all the time, I had never thought about how they clambered up on Mum's back.  Gorgeous photo of last year's brood.

Thanks Tiger. What a beautiful sight to start the day.

Unknown said:

Thanks Tiger. What a beautiful sight to start the day.

I hope to have a similar one in about two weeks or less.

Wonderful pic Tiger. Looking forward to more soon.