Tree Swallow Acrobatics all photos by Larry Jordan
Tree Swallows are one of my favorite cavity nesting birds for several reasons. The primary reason is their incredible acrobatic flying skills. Of course all of the swallow family Hirundinidae are masters of the air. When you see the maneuvers they perform you know why God created birds in the first place.
Tree Swallows are the first cavity nesting bird arriving in Northern California in mid-March to early April from their non-breeding winter grounds in Southern California, Mexico and Central America (see range map below).
They will nest in natural tree cavities or take readily to man-made nest boxes. We have large oak trees near the Sacramento River here that house entire colonies of Tree Swallows.
Being strong defenders of their homes, Tree Swallows will coexist with Western Bluebirds on Bluebird Trails and help deter predators if nest boxes are placed closer than 100 yards apart. I find that placing nest boxes at least 100 feet apart where Tree Swallows are present gives both species room to raise their young. You may also pair up your nest boxes by placing two boxes 25 feet apart with the next pair being 100 yards away from the first.
Tree Swallow Pair with Recently Hatched Chicks
Tree Swallows lay 4 to 7 eggs which they incubate for about two weeks. The chicks fledge in another 3 weeks. Before the chicks fledge the female often sticks her head out the entrance hole as the male guards the nest. When monitoring the nest box, both adults will usually divebomb you, as they would any other intruder. This can be a bit unnerving the first few times. This is what they look like as they come zooming in at you.
Always showing off those incredible aerial acrobatic skills. They never make contact though so simply enjoy the show.
If you are interested in building and monitoring birdhouses, check out my page on Nest Box Plans and the Monitoring Guide. Also check out the best Bluebird site on the internet for information on all things Bluebird from my friend Bet over at Sialis.org.
You will also want to check out the other IATB #99 posts and Skywatch Friday.
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HI Larry,
Thanks for this nice post on tree swallow migration and behavior. I’m happy to know more about them. Your first picture is incredible, gorgeous, splendid and I can add many more. That’s THE shot!!! Awesome.
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These images are wonderful! Swallows are such masterful fliers. I loved it when they nested in my barns of the past and zipped through the hallway. I found their clicks and peeps endearing as they sat on the barn gate and watched me feed the horses. On the other hand, they became bombardiers if someone happened to disturb them!
Its wonderful that you have the opportunity to watch these tree swallows as their lives unfold. Thanks also for the links.
Gorgeous birds photograph.
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Hey Larry, great shots! The Tree Swallows are so pretty. We get Cave Swallows here, also pretty and colorful. How you managed to get flight shots of these aerial acrobats is a mystery to me! Bravo!
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Larry,
Incredible inspirational photos. I love your quote about ‘why God made birds to begin with.’
To me, they are uplifting, inspirational reminders of unfulfilled dreams and what can be if we believe.
Thanks for the blog and the tweet.
j
Brilliant images and very interesting blog too.
Love the colours from the Tree swallows.
Thanks for the follow in the Twitter.
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Excellent photos Larry, the first being my favorite!
The information on the Swallows is an excellent addition to the photos.
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Larry: Wonderful capture of the swallows, I see them on the lake but they never stop for me.
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Is it true that global warming is changing the swallow migrations, with fears that populations could be damaged as a result of breeding problems?
Saw my first tree swallow today. It was diving a pair of bluebirds who have claimed a nesting box in my backyard. The bluebirds did not seem to be intimidated by the tree swallow, though it still remains to be seen which will use the nesting box.
@Beverly those two species often fight over nest boxes but there is a solution. Just place two nest boxes about 25 feet apart and they will each use one. They will also team up to chase away intruders in this scenario!
Nice picture Larry! I always love to see them in our back yard. We have three nest boxes about twenty five feet apart. One box with titmouses, second with tree swallows and third with bluebirds. Very interesting birds,we love them all.
Awesome Tina! The more, the merrier!