Swallows
See a Tree Swallow's nest and nestlings!
Swallows are insect eating birds. They
will sometimes eat berries when insects are unavailable.
Tree Swallow Housing
Tree Swallows will use manmade boxes.
Many natural sites are depleted due to cutting of dead trees in their
natural habitats, and placing boxes can help boost their populations.
Swallows will defend their nest sites from other swallows. They prefer open
areas in the sun, pastures, fields and golf courses. Boxes should be placed
away from tree lines and shrubs to help guard against predators. Raccoon
baffles can be added to posts to deter raccoons from reaching the nests.
Swallows make their nests from grass and weed stems and line them with
feathers. They usually have 3-7 eggs. Their eggs are white and unmarked.
Young usually fledge in 16 to 24 days. Young from the previous brood can be
seen trying to steal food from the new brood. They can often be seen
perching in long rows on wires.
Cliff Swallows
Some interesting facts about Cliff Swallow nests:
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Frequently Asked
Questions |
| Q: What are those strange mud nests being built underneath the eaves
of my house?
 It may be that a Cliff Swallow has built a nest on your house. Although not always an
invited addition to the house, swallow nests can provide an infinite amount of enjoyment
and learning opportunities. During the spring and summer, you can see hundreds of swallows
darting about as they build nests and collect food. There are many things you can discover
about the Cliff Swallow, if you take the time to observe.
Before artificial structures became a common
feature in the United States, Cliff Swallows used naturally
overhanging cliffs as nest sites. As buildings became more abundant,
swallows took advantage of their sheltering eaves. |
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