Critter Creek Life
Black Swan
cygnets have
arrived!
For years, a mated pair of black swans have chosen to make their home at Critter Creek Sanctuary Ranch. They have just hatched a pair of baby swans, or cygnets!
Family Album
Black Swans mate for life. Both partners take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the hatchlings, which are called “cygnets.”
Why it’s a Big Deal
The nest test
Although Florida is one of the few places where black swans can be found outside of Australia, it is believed that they exist in such thin populations that scientists don’t believe they are able to breed. So this is a rare pair, indeed!
Care and Conservation
The first two weeks are
crucial
Even with a pair of protective parents around, the first two weeks are the riskiest for new hatchlings. Predators can be anywhere, from other birds, to turtles, and even fish. For this reason we were careful to move the cygnets into a protected environment before they were able to venture out on the open water of the pond.