They’re beautiful and graceful creatures, but don’t be fooled by looks. Black swans are extremely powerful and have quick tempers. They have a club of sorts on their wing bones and a good wack is strong enough to break a man’s leg. Both parents are super protective of their cygnets and of one another. Never allow small children around them.
They mature in 15 months and will spend two to three months in search of a mate. Once they find one, they mate for life. If a mate dies, the widow or widower usually remains solo and will stay at the periphery of the flock. If still very young, like two or three years, sometimes they will choose a new mate from among the never mated, but it is unlikely.