Cygnet

A cygnet is otherwise known as a young swan. The eggs of Mute Swans hatch in May/June so you’ll be able to spot cygnets on Galway’s waterways throughout the summer. Cygnets are born with grey/brown plumage and can be seen travelling on their mother’s back. They will learn how to fly by the age of five or six months; at this point, they are driven off home territory by their parents and will join a flock of non-breeding adult swans nearby. They won’t start breeding themselves until the age of two years. In the wild, Mute Swans can live for up to fifteen years.