Deformed swan finally finds mate

GLOUCESTER , England, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- After seven years of waiting, a male swan in England who was shunned by females due to his deformed neck may finally have found a mate.

Crinkly has become a well-known resident at the Gloucester bird sanctuary, having flown there from Russia every year since 2001, Sky News reported.

"We were worried about Crinkly because he is such a strange-looking bird," said Jools Mackin, spokesperson for Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. "Every time he returns it is against the odds."

Until recently Crinkly has not attracted any birds of the opposite sex, but there may be signs of a budding romance, Macklin said, according to the network.

"We are delighted because we think Crinkly has finally found a girlfriend," she said. "He appears to be loosely associating with another Slimbridge Bewick's swan called Taciturn."

Mackin noted is too early to say whether or not they are mates.

"At the moment they are associating on Swan Lake," she said. "They are flying in and out together and we do hope they will become mates."