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Hi there, I have been befriending a very large, strong mute swam for 4 months. I’ve been reading the archive information from your site and doing lots of research on how to act accordingly. I go out to my pond every evening and toss out frozen peas and frozen corn. I do it from a crouched down position and we get about 3 feet away from each other. We have become quite close with head nods that we give each other and the swan responds to me when I call it over from across the pond.
I’ve thought it was a female this entire time. The knob on the nose seems smaller but it has white feather growth on it so it could just appear smaller, its beak is an old faint faded orange, and it is very friendly with the ducks and turtles it shares the pond with. Still very cautious with me and my proximity, it would probably take me almost a year to get her to eat out of my hand.
Three days ago, another swan showed up. The knob on the nose wasn’t significantly bigger than the original swans, but it’s more defined and prominent. It’s a smaller bodied swan, with a bright orange beak, and a thinner neck.
They would both swim together around my pond and they both have shared frozen peas and corn without any aggression.
Yesterday I witnessed the textbook mating/courting ritual. It was beautiful. It appeared to me that swan #1 was being mounted by new swan #2.
Today original swan #1 has been afraid of new swan #2. No sharing of food, no swimming near each other. New swan #2 has shown aggression towards original swan with its wings up and swimming at her until she turns around and submits by swimming off into a little tucked away area. New Swan seemed to be very determined to show aggression, it kept looking over to her all day and swimming up determined to keep her in what seemed like “jail.” So sad to see.
New swan number #2 does not seem to be as friendly with the rest of animals in my pond. Although, it’s not as timid with me. We have come extremely close to a successful hand feed in just three days.
I’m wondering what could have gone wrong between them? I’m wondering if I may have misinterpreted their sexes?
I’m wondering if they are both males and what I saw yesterday wasn’t a mating ritual? They were rubbing breast bones and doing the synchronized dance and everything.
Thank you so much
Hi Brooklyn
If they were both males, it is highly unlikely that they would have not exhibited aggressive behavior from the first time the new swan arrived. You may have 2 young swans that have no idea what they are doing. Mating season is over for this season and won’t begin again until spring
Do you have access to a boat? If the aggresive behavior continues, you may have to intervene as the swan that is in “jail”, may not be able to feed, enter or exit water and become stressed leading to injury or illness. The other swan could seriously injure the swan.
If you have access to a boat or several kayaks, you might want to harrass the new swan so that it leaves the area. If it feels threatened by being chased ( do not chase to the point of over stressing the bird, but just enough to let it know it is not welcomed, it should leave. Do not feed while the new swan is around to discourage its staying. Please let us know how this progresses. The Regal Swan
Thank you so much for your reply. It was so helpful. The male ended up getting over himself and he allowed the female to have access to the main portion of the pond where the food is.
I appreciate you taking the time to get back to me and I was worried for the female.
Both swans have successfully eaten out of my hands and we have really built a connection. I’m hoping they don’t migrate away from me in Myrtle beach South Carolina.
Thank you so much for your reply. It was so helpful. The male ended up getting over himself and he allowed the female to have access to the main portion of the pond where the food is.
I appreciate you taking the time to get back to me and I was worried for the female.
Both swans have successfully eaten out of my hands and we have really built a connection. I’m hoping they don’t migrate away from me in Myrtle beach South Carolina.
