Young swans, or cygnets, are hatched with a complete covering of down and can take to the water as soon as they leave the nest, within 24 to 48 hours. Right from the beginning they can forage for themselves, but at least one parent remains with them, guarding, guiding and, initially, brooding them at night. The dark downy plumage is retained for two to six weeks and it then replaced gradually by the juvenile feathers. The flight feathers are the last to develop, taking from five weeks to as many months. By the age of six months the cygnets are practically indistinguishable from adults in plumage and in size.
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Fact File: In captivity geese and swans have been known to live for more than 30 years; there are reports of geese exceeding 40 years of age. With luck and cunning a wild swan may survive for 15 to 20 years. |
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