Cygnets from different family

[Eva]

Hello, Will a Swan pair with cygnets ever adopt cygnets from another family? We had a pair of swans with 7 cygnets one went missing so they were down to six… suddenly a family of with 10 cygnets appeared and we haven’t seen the 6 cygnet family so now we are thinking maybe it’s the same one with adopted cygnets… I know this can happen in other avian species but does it ever happen with swans? Thank you for entertaining my question. Eva

[Swan Expert]

Hi Eva

You are very welcome. Swans usually do not adopt a cygnet from another family. Adult swans will chase a straying cygnet from their territory and may accidently kill the cygnet in the process. Geese will take in orphans or strays, but unfortunately, swans will not. The Regal Swan

[Author]

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