A Swan’s Song

Description

A Swan’s Song

A Swan’s Song is meant to bring recognition and appreciation to one of natures most beautiful birds.  The male swan is called the cob. He typically weighs more and looks slightly larger than the female (the Pen ), although it is often difficult to tell the male and female apart. The female swan will incubate the eggs and both parents will take care of the young once they are hatched.

Young-of-the-year swans are called cygnets. Cygnets have gray feathers, typically remaining on the head and neck through its first year.  Trumpeter Swan cygnets turn white during their second summer following their molt.

At that point, they become “sub adults”- they have white feathers like an adult, but won’t reach breeding age until age 3-6 years. Sub adult swans often remain in groups until they are old enough to form their own pair bonds, and when a swan nears death, that one sings a beautiful song during its last minutes of life.

Artist:
Patricia Von Niessen
Red Fox Art Glass 2025