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Strange little Barn Swallow

11 years ago

For the last week or so a little barn swallow has decided to join my tree swallows. He sits on the power line above their nest box and flys with them every day. When they are busy feeding their family he just sits and waits and then flys around with them. No other Barn Swallows around anywhere,

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Comments (8)

beegood_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Here he is sitting as close as they will allow to the tree swallows this morning.
beegood_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
OOPS Forgot the picture
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Well these barn swallows have been re-furbishing this same nest on our porch year after year. There really is no other location on the porch or nearby that would be practical or safe for the swallows to nest. This southwestern corner is under the eaves above our steep staircase, high up and inaccessible to predators. I don't know for sure they are the *same* two swallows year after year, but there is only the one nest. Meanwhile Mrs Finch is sitting on the nest and occasionally perching on the edge to turn her eggs. I imagine Mr Finch takes over nest sitting duties, although I haven't witnessed the changing of the guards. I do see him sometimes land on the ledge and sometimes in the little crabapple tree nearby. It is totally strange to see the pair of barn swallows arriving at dusk to spend each night perched next to the nest. I wonder if one or both could be last year's barn swallow babies.
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Well, I spoke with the wildlife rehabber and nobody does song birds. Aside from capturing/putting him in a cage, there's nothing I can really do. The local vet won't work on wild birds unless your a rehabber. Both recommended I look into becoming certified. I'll think about it but we're pretty rural and I don't see too many people caring for birds (unless they're a raptor). So, I made sure the little guy was in a safe area and was visible to the parents. Mom and dad were both flying around but I think they were trying to encourage more than feed. The fledglings have been out for over a week and they can fly really well; they're all in the learning stages of catching their own food. I think he ran into something and dislocated a wing joint. Little guy moved so fast on the ground that I couldn't catch him without fear of further injury. Unfortunately, he didn't make it. I think he died from dehydration. Poor little guy.
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Thanks Lisa, I like the thought of the little birds hanging out with their cousins from the barn nest who are their seniors by approx. a week. I imagine the single parent bird did have his wings full trying to round up his whole brood each night, and probably the first two nights were enough to ensure their safety. He or she is probably in need of a rest at this point. I hope the severe rainstorms did not endanger the swallows. If by "baby" you mean my cat, I did as always and kept her in during the hazardous fledging period, but she's in and out now. She's not having much luck hunting though; only a few rodents turning up on the porch. I think the rain this past week has halted/slowed the activities of all life forms.
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For the 5 th year in row we have let a family's of barn swallows nest on our back porch. They just build right on top of a decorative bird house I had . We cover the patio furniture with a blanket & love them all. We may not be able to sit out on our deck but the birds got used to us . They have the protection of the porch & no other birds will come near the nest . .Well this year one lone female started building again & for over a month tried to get a mate to come near here I don't think this is one of the swallows from before. A lot of strange things have happened . One day while I was outside one of the birds knocked an egg out of the nest. Is this unusual ??.We know some baby's where born as we watched the parents coming & going to feed them . We went away for 3 weeks. NOW MY QUESTION One lone bird is still sitting on the nest I think its a baby I have not been able to get a photo of this one. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF BABYS STAY AFTER PARENTS LEAVE?? When do they fly south ?I have never seen this happen before THANK YOU
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lisa11310
11 years ago
They seem to get along well here as I often see them flying together. One year I swear they tried to help a widowed TRES fledge her babies.
Konrad___far_north
11 years ago
Interesting!...see what comes of it and report back please.
Wish I had a suitable place for them to nest,..they look so darn cute!
Last year a pair was just about getting ready to build one in the unfinished root cellar, they were checking it out by going in and out, ..I then had to close it up because I needed to work on it.
beegood_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
That little barn swallow is still hanging out with the tree swallows but now has a friend. Another barn swallow has joined the group. Wud love for them to come back and nest here next year. Don't remember when I last saw one.
Dante1709
11 years ago
You could try hanging an artificial barn swallow cup for them to use..
Here's a link : http://www.americanartifacts.com/smma/per/nestord.htm

The maker has done some research,and tested it out multiple times.7 artificial nests had eggs and 2 previously built natural nests had eggs. No new nests had been built.

Plus, nest cups are preferred over the more popular nesting shelves.
beegood_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
{{!gwi}}

Still hanging in there
steelskies
11 years ago
I love swallows. This year I have fewer nests than other years though. I wonder why. Trying to post picture of 2 babies just out of their nest in my barn. They usually have two hatches per summer and then leave abruptly. I am so sorry to see them go. I love the little tweeting they do.

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