Tree Swallow

 

   
Main Menu
   

 

   
 
   


 

   
 

Tree Swallow - (Tachycineta bicolor)

Tree SwallowTree SwallowMay 23, 2010 - The female tree swallow is spending most of her time sitting on the eggs and looking out of the "door". The male sits across from her on the nearby dog kennel (now being used to surround the raised vegetable garden). He swoops around anyone who comes too close to their bird house.

 

 

 

Tree Swallow Tree Swallow Tree Swallow

May 5, 2010 - Squabbles between other birds and between several male swallows are settled. The lucky pair have occupied the bird house of their choice and are busy building their nest.


April 22, 2010 - While waiting in the driveway for the plumber, we spotted several tree swallows making swooping inspections of the yard and the potential bird houses - no time to get the camera. We had better luck on April 30th for pictures, but a male swallow was not as fortunate in the luck department. After inspecting a birdhouse that was used two summers ago by tree swallows (maybe even this bird), he apparently was startled and flew into Food Guy's office door. The poor bird was stunned but didn't lose consciousness. After several of his friends came over to look and probably encourage him, he flew away, maybe to reconsider his  house hunting tactics.

Tree Swallow Tree Swallow Tree Swallow


 

 April 21. 2009 - The tree swallows have returned. There is a great deal of shuffling and reshuffling of housing in our yard this year.  Foolish us!  It seemed logical that we would not have a huge problem if we just added more nest boxes.  More on the housing situation later.  Sure hope the swallows can safely move into our neighborhood again.

 

 

 

Tree Swallow

 

         


Tree Swallow Family Saga
Tree Swallow Sally and Sam got acquainted. "I enjoy slow hopping along the beach and soaring in the rain." "Me too.  What's your sign?"
Sam went house hunting.  Of four choices he decided to "outbid" the bluebirds for the best box in the sun.
"I love you truly, truly, my dear."
"I like the nest box and the location.  Now to make it cozy and seem like a home.  Thanks, HGTV, for the clever nesting ideas."
The house sparrow tried for days to take over this nest box.  The sparrow couple waited him out.  As soon as he took flight, they swooped and flitted at him, until he finally established residency in his next choice.  Sadly it was the home of the aforementioned bluebirds. Bye-bye, bluebirdies. Next year our real estate market will be more buyer friendly for everyone.
"This is really comfortable and pleasant, as long as Food Guy and Food Mom keep their distance.  We never saw such nosy neighbors."  The swallows would leave the box and do the swoop and flit at us. We got the point, but occasionally watered the nearby plants anyway, as part of the condo maintenance  beautification  program.
The birds and the bees stuff- okay minus the bees.  Moving on with the story.....
Nest sitting may have been boring, but tree swallows return and feed their demanding young ten to twenty times an hour.  Yikes, I thought the grandkids ate often and on demand.
"Oh, now they say, don't look down.  Do I really have to leave?"
"Wow, Dad came to fly with me. It's fun out here, but who's gonna feed me?"  Mom provided a snack for Baby A, while waiting for the next brave one.
"Not me, you go next!"
Sitting on the edge for quite some time, and then the sudden deep, drop down, I suspect Baby C was instrumental in the final push-off of Baby B.
"I know you can do it, besides flying is fun!"   The lure of the empty nest didn't seem to be trying Sally's patience.  Sam was also calmly awaiting each baby's first flight.  He perched across the yard, watched for each baby's push-off, and swooped in to accompany them to safe landings.
The middle child was ready to go.
"Finally, show time! Am I gorgeous or what!  Is this my best side?"
"Hey, I'm the last baby. Wait for me." Sally and Sam and all five babies could be seen flying and scooping insects for the rest of the summer. Not being feeder birds, all we could offer them was shelter, water and berries. Off for the winter now, we hope to see you in spring.
It appears we have a literal case of last one left is a rotten egg.  Food Guy pulled the nest to clean the box. This is a typical tree swallow nest with dried grassy sticks and tons of white feathers.  Sally added pieces of landscaping fabric for a fun look.
Here's a better view of the white feathers.  We can only think that she shopped on the internet for them, since we harbor no large white birds.  Okay, the neighbors down the road who raise sheep might be keeping chickens too.  Anyway, thanks Sam and Sally Tree Swallow and all the little guys.  It was great fun!



Size:                       

Length:  5-6 in      Weight: .7 oz         Wingspan: 14.5 in

ID:       

Male: Upperparts iridescent blue (greener in the fall); bright white cheeks and underparts; long, pointed wing tips blackish; tail slightly notched; black, short bill; black anisodactylous (three toes point forward and one toe points backward)
Female: Similar to male but duller
Juvenile: Grayish brown upperparts with faint breast-band                                 

Habitat:

Open areas and woodlands near water

Diet:

Catches most insects (especially flies, beetles and flying ants) in the air but will eat small crustaceans and spiders on the ground; will eat berries and seeds when cold weather makes insects scarce; feeds in mixed flocks of other swallows; does not come to feeders

Family Behavior:

Mating Habits: Males often polygamous having two mates at the same time and chose different mates each year;  1 brood per year

Local Breeding Period: Mid May
Nests:  Dried grass lined with feathers particularly white; built in tree cavities or nest boxes; female does most of building
Eggs: 4-6 plain white; female incubates 13-16 days 
Nestlings: Born altricial (helpless, naked, eyes closed) and stay in nest 16-24 days; fed by both parents   

Social Activities:

Migrates in huge flocks; plays with falling feathers (catch and release);

Range:

Breeding: Northern US, Alaska and most of Canada
Winter: Southern US to Central America

Vocalization:           

Song quick, repetitious series of weet, trit  or chi-veet; call is liquid chirping and twittering

Lifespan: Up to 11 years

 

   

 

   

More Info