Swallow Tales

"Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?" - Frida Kahlo

Swallows are some of the most elegant, skilful "flyers" in the bird world. They rely on swift, agile flight to navigate their way to and from our area every year, and to catch the hundreds of airborne insects they need daily to sustain themselves and feed their young.

In early Spring, Swallows return from the southern States and Central America to breed and nest in our area. Barn Swallows head for hospitable barns or covered buildings, Cliff Swallows often congregate under bridges, Bank Swallows search out slopes of mud that will be steep and soft enough to accommodate tunnels, and Tree Swallows look for cavities in trees... or nest boxes.

We have been fortunate here on the farm to have hosted several families of Tree Swallows this spring/summer.

After the intitial flurry of activity as Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, and (unfortunately!) House Sparrows argued over home ownership, 2 pairs of Tree Swallows were able to claim 2 of the 4 boxes around our house. Grass was carried into the houses to build nests, and then the little males began the hunt for feathers that would finish off their nurseries! This is a nest from a few years ago -- the pair that built this nest was very particular about having a clean, white decorating scheme. When I opened the box to check on the birds, a feather fell out; the male immediately flew in, grabbed the feather, and sat a short distance away until I left, then replaced it!

As our yard Swallows were busy collecting nest material, I found a handful of feathers on the deck (likely from a small bird that was taken by a visiting Cooper's Hawk). I gathered them, and carried them out to the lawn as a donation to the home-builders. One fell from my hand, and a Tree Swallow swooped in, snatched the feather, and carried it to his nest box. Fascinated, I waited a moment, then dropped another ... and back he came to grab it before it hit the ground! Soon the other male got in on the action, and I spent the better part of half an hour dropping feathers for 2 grateful little Papa Tree Swallows. No photos, my hands were busy, but what a thrill!

Sadly, one of the male Tree Swallows disappeared shortly after 7 eggs hatched in his nest. Both of the parents had been kept very busy feeding so many young.

Now Mom was alone, flying from dawn until after 9:30 at night, catching flies every minute or 2 to feed her hungry brood.

I could hear them chirping continually, a sure sign that they weren't getting enough food despite her best efforts, so I began supplementing with mealworms soaked in a vitamin/mineral mixture. I would open the box and use tweezers to drop the worms into open mouths (each bird would eat 15-20 several times a day once they were 8-10 days old!). Sometimes Mom would sit patiently on a post nearby, waiting for me to finish, then pop in with a fly. She didn't seem to mind the help.

As time went by, it became apparent that 4 of the 7 young Swallows were eating all of the flies that Mom was bringing. They would block the entrance, sometimes 2 at a time, eat what they could, then trade off with 2 others.

The smaller 3 weren't being fed at all. So ... I would open the box, put my hand in to cover the babies (didn't want them to jump out), and the 4 larger birds would immediately lie down in the bottom of the nest, and close their eyes. They were full! The wee ones would poke their open beaks through my fingers and eat mealworms. (Not a great quality photo, taken with my phone while juggling worms and baby birds!)

When the young Swallows were about 2-1/2 weeks old, 5 of them fledged. The tiniest one didn't survive, but Number 7 was still in the box calling for food. Mom left with the 5, and maybe I should have just let Nature take its course, but ... there were still lots of mealworms left, and I couldn't stand to hear this wee one crying for food. Sometimes you just have to follow your heart, right??

I continued to feed her for a few days, and she was looking more like her siblings had looked when they left, ready to fly and be on her own. So into a little cotton bag she went, and back we walked to meet up with the other Tree Swallows that were hunting over the fields. I held her on my hand,

then set her up on a post. It was amazing to see the other Tree Swallows coming in to encourage her and sit with her!

A Savannah Sparrow even sat with her for a few minutes.

She stood quietly for about half an hour, preening and stretching her wings, and looking around at the big, wide world.

I had to leave for a few hours, so said my good-byes and walked away. Returned a few hours later to see her on the ground, chirping at me, and letting me know that ... this wasn't the day! Sigh. She hopped back onto my arm, climbed up and sat under my hair, and we walked back to the house.

I put her in a nice big butterfly house, and gave her lots of mealworms, which she was able to take from a dish. A few days later, I opened the door to her enclosure, and she flew past me, out and away, over the fields. She was ready to go, and I was so pleased for her! Dear little creature -- it was such a gift to share her world for a short time.

I am choosing to believe that she found her friends/relatives, and is "flying free"!

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In a few weeks, the Tree Swallows, along with the other types of Swallows that nest in our area, will begin to gather together to feed, and to prepare for their long journeys south. We are starting to see small groups already, mostly Barn Swallows, swooping around us on the deck in the evenings, and snatching flies over the Oriole feeders, gardens, and fields. Most of the young are flying with them now; a week ago, they were still lined up on the eaves of the house, waiting to be fed.

Last year, during gathering time, we were able to see a variety of Swallows, resting together on the wires near our house. Some were taking a break from flying, some were still feeding young; all were readying themselves for their migration journeys...

These Cliff Swallows had nested in a colony under a neighbour's bridge, and were still working at teaching their fledglings to feed themselves. I love the way the parents stick their heads into the kids' mouths, as if to say, " I worked hard to catch this bug, and I'm not taking any chances on it getting away!"

Young Cliff Swallow Triplets

Young Tree Swallows cuddled and waited hopefully for Mom and Dad to deliver flies.

Most of the Barn Swallows were independently flying and foraging.

Cliff Swallow and Tree Swallow

Bank Swallow and Barn Swallow

Bank Swallow

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It's always a pleasure to have all of these wonderful avian visitors in the area, even for a short season. Aerial insectivores are having a hard time these days, and to be able to help them out in small ways is a privilege. It's rewarding and encouraging to see successful broods and flocks of Swallows hunting the skies on these summer days!

-Merri-Lee

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