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  May 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.
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.
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.
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Tree Swallow Family Saga |
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Sally and Sam got acquainted. "I enjoy slow hopping along
the beach and soaring in the rain." "Me too. What's your
sign?" |
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Sam went house hunting. Of four choices he decided to
"outbid" the bluebirds for the best box in the sun. |
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"I love you truly, truly, my dear." |
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"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." |
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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. |
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"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. |
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The birds and the bees stuff- okay minus the bees. Moving
on with the story..... |
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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. |
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"Oh, now they say, don't look down. Do I really have
to leave?"
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"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. |
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"Not me, you go next!" |
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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. |
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"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. |
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The middle child was ready to go. |
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"Finally, show time! Am I gorgeous or what! Is this my
best side?" |
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"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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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Size:
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Length: 5-6 in
Weight: .7 oz
Wingspan: 14.5
in
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ID:
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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
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Habitat:
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Open areas and woodlands near water
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Diet:
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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
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Family Behavior:
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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
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Social Activities:
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Migrates in huge flocks; plays with falling feathers (catch
and release);
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Range:
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Breeding: Northern US, Alaska and most of Canada
Winter: Southern US to Central America
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Vocalization:
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Song quick, repetitious series of weet, trit or chi-veet;
call is liquid chirping and twittering
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Lifespan: |
Up to 11 years |
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