David-aviator
Well Known Member
I've forever been fascinated at watching birds fly. Some just barely get off the ground, others are complete aviators in every respect.
Take the common barn swallow. We had a pair checking out our back porch earlier this spring, in particular a light fixture above a laundry room door that was quite sheltered. Last year I had to place plastic bag over the light until they moved on. This year we decided to let them build and see what happened.
Well, they went to work hauling grass and mud for about 2 weeks. The final nest is about 8 inches tall and nearly up to the ceiling of the porch roof. These birds work from dawn to dusk and I don't know where they get the energy. Watching them fly is delight in that they are so maneuverable, catching all manner of flying insects. And also, the male is very vigilant for other males and drives them off like a fighter pilot making very sharp turns staying right on the intruders tail until he gives up and leaves.
The female sat on the next for a couple weeks remaining unusually quiet. Until one day both parents began feeding what turned out to 6 new birds. We thought, this will be interesting.
For the past week, the nest was so crowded we thought for sure someone was going to be pushed out. But it did not happen. Every now and then one would nearly be pushed out but managed to flap his little wings and stay on board. The parents were flying locally every day catching dozens of insects and feeding this very hungry brood. It has been very hot - like mid 90's and the little critters were obviously suffering as they all had the mouths open gasping for air. I took an chance on causing a riot but decided to gently spray them with water. No riot at all, they genuinely enjoyed the garden hose rain and drank water as it sprayed on them. The parents buzzed around very concerned but no one jumped out of the nest. I did that 4 times this past week. Each time they seemed to enjoy the shower although the nest mud was becoming slightly unglued.
This morning, as if on signal, 5 of the fledglings took to flight at the same time. They followed the parents up above our pool in a swirl of birds and they were gone, just like that. One little guy remained in the nest. This afternoon one of the adults returned and #6 left also with the parent. We decided, well they all made it. The nest was empty and we figured that is the last we will see of that family.
Wrong! Just before darkness settled in this evening the entire brood of 8 birds returned. All 6 kids are back in the nest for the night. My wife wanted the nest removed and the mess cleaned up, but it looks like that will have to wait a few more days.
These swallows are interesting. They breed here in the northern hemisphere and migrate to South America for the winter. Some live for as long as 11 years making that trip every year. Most last about 4 years. Don't ask me how I know that, I read it on the internet.
As aviators go in the bird world, the barn swallow is right up there with the best of them. We sure have enjoyed watching this family of 6 new birds come into the world.
Take the common barn swallow. We had a pair checking out our back porch earlier this spring, in particular a light fixture above a laundry room door that was quite sheltered. Last year I had to place plastic bag over the light until they moved on. This year we decided to let them build and see what happened.
Well, they went to work hauling grass and mud for about 2 weeks. The final nest is about 8 inches tall and nearly up to the ceiling of the porch roof. These birds work from dawn to dusk and I don't know where they get the energy. Watching them fly is delight in that they are so maneuverable, catching all manner of flying insects. And also, the male is very vigilant for other males and drives them off like a fighter pilot making very sharp turns staying right on the intruders tail until he gives up and leaves.
The female sat on the next for a couple weeks remaining unusually quiet. Until one day both parents began feeding what turned out to 6 new birds. We thought, this will be interesting.
For the past week, the nest was so crowded we thought for sure someone was going to be pushed out. But it did not happen. Every now and then one would nearly be pushed out but managed to flap his little wings and stay on board. The parents were flying locally every day catching dozens of insects and feeding this very hungry brood. It has been very hot - like mid 90's and the little critters were obviously suffering as they all had the mouths open gasping for air. I took an chance on causing a riot but decided to gently spray them with water. No riot at all, they genuinely enjoyed the garden hose rain and drank water as it sprayed on them. The parents buzzed around very concerned but no one jumped out of the nest. I did that 4 times this past week. Each time they seemed to enjoy the shower although the nest mud was becoming slightly unglued.
This morning, as if on signal, 5 of the fledglings took to flight at the same time. They followed the parents up above our pool in a swirl of birds and they were gone, just like that. One little guy remained in the nest. This afternoon one of the adults returned and #6 left also with the parent. We decided, well they all made it. The nest was empty and we figured that is the last we will see of that family.
Wrong! Just before darkness settled in this evening the entire brood of 8 birds returned. All 6 kids are back in the nest for the night. My wife wanted the nest removed and the mess cleaned up, but it looks like that will have to wait a few more days.
These swallows are interesting. They breed here in the northern hemisphere and migrate to South America for the winter. Some live for as long as 11 years making that trip every year. Most last about 4 years. Don't ask me how I know that, I read it on the internet.
As aviators go in the bird world, the barn swallow is right up there with the best of them. We sure have enjoyed watching this family of 6 new birds come into the world.
