Bewick's swans pair for life. They usually choose a mate similar in age and size, meaning the largest and oldest pairs are the most dominant. Males will often fight to protect their mates and establish dominance.
Breeding takes place in parts of Siberia and nests are built out of vegetation - usually grasses and moss - on dry elevated ground, near large bodies of water. Both birds will usually build the nest together; however, females will spend most of the time doing this. Females will lay a clutch of between 3 and 5 creamy-white eggs. The female mainly does incubation, but males will also take part.
A few hours after hatching, chicks will begin to walk around nearby the nest. Cygnets will start to follow their parents around after around 3 days.