Swallows are small passerine birds in the family Hirundinidae. There are around 90 different species of swallows worldwide, including the barn swallow, tree swallow, bank swallow, and cliff swallow. Swallows are found on all continents except Antarctica and are known for their aerial hunting and long-distance seasonal migrations.
Many swallow species have experienced population declines in recent decades due to threats like habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use. As a result, all swallows in the United States are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This makes it illegal to harm, harass, or kill swallows without a permit. Here’s a closer look at swallows’ protected status.
Swallows are migratory birds
One of the main reasons swallows are protected in the U.S. is because they are migratory birds. Swallows breeding in North America generally migrate south to Central or South America for the winter. Some species, like the tree swallow, only migrate as far south as the southern U.S. or Mexico. Others, like the barn swallow, can migrate all the way to Argentina.
These long migrations mean swallows cross national borders. In 1916, the United States signed a treaty with Great Britain (on behalf of Canada) to protect migratory birds. This treaty was expanded in 1936 to include Mexico and is now known as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The act makes it illegal to hunt, kill, sell, or possess migratory birds or their parts (like feathers or eggs) without a permit. The list of protected migratory birds includes all swallow species that occur in the U.S.
Swallows are songbirds
Swallows belong to the avian order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Passeriformes are known as perching birds or songbirds. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects over 800 species of migratory songbirds, including swallows. Songbirds are protected for several reasons:
- They play important roles in ecosystems, like controlling insect populations and dispersing seeds.
- They provide enjoyment for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
- Songbirds have suffered population declines from habitat loss and other threats.
Protecting migratory songbird species ensures ecosystems stay balanced and people can continue experiencing the beauty of birds like swallows.
Some swallows are endangered
Beyond the overall Migratory Bird Treaty Act protections, a few swallow species receive additional protections under the Endangered Species Act due to their at-risk status:
- The San Juan Capistrano swallow is listed as endangered. Once abundant in California, this cliff swallow subspecies declined to just a few breeding pairs by the 1990s due to habitat loss and pesticide use. Intensive conservation efforts have helped populations recover to over 600 pairs today.
- The Bahama swallow is listed as threatened. This Caribbean species has a very small range and population size, making it vulnerable to hurricanes, habitat loss, and invasive species. Protecting remaining nesting sites is crucial for the Bahama swallow’s survival.
- The golden swallow is another threatened species. This Central and South American species is losing its grassland breeding habitat. Its global population is thought to be between 2,500-9,999 mature individuals.
The Endangered Species Act prohibits harming or harassing endangered or threatened wildlife and ensures protection of crucial habitat. For at-risk swallows, being federally listed helps drive population monitoring and conservation programs.
Swallows are aerial insectivores
Most swallows are specialized for feeding on flying insects. They catch insects mid-air using their large mouths and articulate jaws. Swallows even drink by skimming across water surfaces and swallowing droplets!
This feeding style is called “aerial insectivory.” Other aerial insectivores include swifts, nightjars, and flycatchers. Unfortunately, many aerial insectivore populations are declining around the globe. Potential reasons include:
- Reduced flying insect populations due to pesticide use, habitat loss, and climate change.
- Fewer suitable nesting sites like dead trees and cliff faces.
- Extreme weather events during migration.
By protecting all swallow species, laws ensure this unique and important feeding niche stays represented in ecosystems. Measures like restricting certain pesticides or maintaining wetlands and forests can help support healthy swallow populations.
Swallows are culturally significant
Beyond ecological reasons, swallows hold meaning in many human cultures. For example:
- Barn swallows are considered a symbol of good luck and fortune in many cultures. Their nests are protected in some rural farms and villages.
- Cliff swallows famously nest at California’s Mission San Juan Capistrano. Their annual return is celebrated each March with a festival.
- The publication of Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” helped spur bird protection laws. She described a future without bird songs using declining swallow populations as an example.
By protecting swallows, we ensure future generations can enjoy these birds’ migrations, nesting behaviors, and place in culture. Laws even protect important swallow gathering sites like the iconic Mission or cliff nesting sites.
Swallows face ongoing threats
Although legally protected, swallows still face threats today that require monitoring and policy action. Some ongoing threats include:
- Habitat loss: Development, agriculture, and logging can destroy or alter nesting sites and habitats used during migration.
- Pesticides: Insecticide use reduces food supplies. Some pesticides directly poison or accumulate in birds.
- Climate change: Warming affects migration timing and insect hatching. Extreme weather threatens nests and migrating flocks.
- Predators and disease: Natural threats sometimes increase due to habitat changes. Nest parasites and predators may harm populations.
- Human disturbance: Recreational activities near nesting colonies sometimes disrupt breeding. Lights and nighttime collisions take a toll.
Ongoing conservation action and habitat programs aim to minimize these threats. But additional policy protections, research, or mitigation steps may be needed if populations continue declining.
Legal protections vary globally
While swallows are federally protected in the United States, their legal status varies in other parts of the world:
- The European Union’s Birds Directive protects all wild bird species from harm, including swallows. However, enforcement varies between countries.
- Canada and Mexico signed onto the original Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Swallows are protected as migratory birds in both countries.
- In Central and South America, protections are weaker. Some countries like Costa Rica have designated protected areas or nature reserves to conserve habitat.
- Outside of designated reserves, swallows may still be hunted or trapped for food or the pet trade in some developing countries.
Going forward, improved international cooperation and habitat protections could support healthy swallow populations throughout their full migration ranges.
How can you help protect swallows?
If you want to support swallow conservation, here are a few tips:
- Learn to identify swallows and participate in citizen science monitoring programs.
- Avoid pesticide overuse in yards and agricultural areas.
- Purchase shade-grown coffee to support wintering habitat.
- Put up nest boxes to provide safe nesting sites.
- Support wetland restoration and policies to limit development in key habitats.
- Turn off unnecessary lights during migration seasons.
Simple actions can make a difference by creating safer spaces for these aerial acrobats. Appreciating swallows through art, photography, or nature journaling also deepens public interest in protecting them.
Conclusion
Swallows around the world get a helpful boost towards survival from legal protections. In the U.S., swallows are shielded as migratory songbirds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Species at imminent risk of extinction also receive the added protections of endangered or threatened status. Ongoing conservation requires addressing diverse threats from pesticides to climate change. But dedicated monitoring, habitat programs, and public education empowered by protective laws provide hope for the future of these amazing migratory birds. The skies we share would certainly be less lively without the spectacular swooping and darting of swallows.