When does a Cygnet become a swan?

Young swans, or cygnets, are hatched with a complete covering of down and can take to the water as soon as they leave the nest, within 24 to 48 hours. Right from the beginning they can forage for themselves, but at least one parent remains with them, guarding, guiding and initially brooding them at night. The dark downy plumage is retained for two to six weeks and then replaced gradually by the juvenile feathers. The flight feathers are the last to develop, taking from five weeks to as many months. By the age of six months, the cygnets are practically indistinguishable from adults in plumage and in size.