A teenager has been ordered to pay compensation for deliberately running down a black swan on a Gold Coast waterway.

Kale Falchi, 19, pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court to hitting the swan twice on Boxing Day.

The teenager, who had a pillion passenger, had been speeding and was unlicensed.

The swan was badly hurt and despite intensive care at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary it was put down earlier this month.

Canal resident Ian Hulme saw the incident and says the swan's mate is still calling out.

"You hear one pining at night... it's not easy," he said.

Falchi was ordered to pay the sanctuary more than $11,000 in compensation and complete 180 hours of community service.

No conviction was recorded.