Cygnet

A cygnet is a young swan, typically under one year old, of any swan species. The term is used in English to distinguish juvenile swans from adults and is common in ornithology and informal observation.

Etymology and usage: The word cygnet derives from late Middle English, likely influenced by Old French cygne (swan) with a diminutive suffix. The form emphasizes the small, immature stage of the animal.

Appearance and development: Cygnet hatchlings are covered in soft down and are usually gray or brownish. As they grow, their plumage changes; many species’ young transition to white or lighter plumage after their first molt, typically within the first year. They rely on parental care for nourishment and protection during early development and begin to forage for vegetation and small invertebrates as they mature.

Behavior and ecology: Cygnets typically stay close to their family group and migrate with other swans depending on species and habitat. They feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and small prey found in ponds, lakes, and slow rivers. Predation risk during the juvenile stage is higher, and survival rates improve with parental protection and group cohesion. After reaching maturity, cygnets may form pairs and participate in breeding cycles in subsequent seasons.

Species and distribution: The term applies to the young of all Cygnus swans, including the mute swan (Cygnus olor), whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus), trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator), and the black swan (Cygnus atratus), among others. These birds inhabit a range of temperate regions across Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia, depending on the species.

In culture: Cygnets feature in literature and folklore, most famously in Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, where a neglected cygnet matures into a swan.