|
|
Tree Swallow - (Tachycineta bicolor)
|
 |
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. |
 |
|
| Tree
Swallow Family Saga |
 |
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: Upper parts iridescent blue
(greener in the fall); bright white
cheeks and under parts; 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 upper parts 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
spiderson 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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
