Swallow tail birds are a group of passerine birds in the family Hirundinidae. There are around 90 species of swallow tail birds worldwide, known for their aerial acrobatics and swift flight. Some of the most common swallow tail birds include barn swallows, cliff swallows, tree swallows, bank swallows, and purple martins.
What do swallow tail birds look like?
Swallow tail birds have a slender, streamlined body shape that is optimized for swift, agile flight. They have long, pointed wings and a short, forked tail. The forked tail gives rise to their name “swallow tail.” Swallow tails have small bills and feet, and very short legs that are used mostly just for perching rather than walking or hopping on the ground.
Plumage patterns and colors vary across the different swallow species. However, many have glossy feathers in iridescent shades of blue, green, and purple on their back and wings. The underparts tend to be paler, often white or buff. Some species, like the barn swallow, have a rusty or chestnut colored forehead and throat. Sexes are similar in plumage, but juveniles may have duller colors until their first molt.
Where do swallow tail birds live?
Swallow tail birds are found on every continent except Antarctica. Different species occupy different habitats and regions. Here are some examples:
- Cliff swallows nest in colonies on vertical cliffs, rock walls, and even man-made structures like bridges and buildings. They occur mostly in North America.
- Barn swallows nest inside man-made structures like barns, bridges, and culverts worldwide.
- Tree swallows nest in tree cavities in North America.
- Bank swallows nest in colonies in burrows dug into dirt banks, including riverbanks, roadcuts, etc. Found worldwide.
- Purple martins nest in cavities, and readily use nest boxes provided for them. Range across North America.
Many swallow species migrate long distances. For example, barn swallows that breed in North America migrate all the way to South America for the winter. Cliff swallows and purple martins also migrate from their northern breeding grounds to spend the winter in South America.
What do swallow tail birds eat?
Swallow tail birds are aerial insectivores, meaning they catch and eat insects while in flight. Their diet is mostly made up of flies, mosquitoes, moths, bees, wasps, flying ants, and other flying bugs. Barn swallows are one of the most voracious insect predators, consuming up to 850 insects per day!
Swallows grab insects in their mouth while flying with their beak open. They occasionally perch to consume larger prey. But they mainly forage on the wing. Their wide mouth allows them to scoop up insects while maintaining aerodynamic flight.
Some species, like purple martins, will occasionally eat other prey besides insects. Martins may eat things like dragonflies, spiders, airborne spiders, and even bats. But insects make up the bulk of their diet.
How do swallow tail birds hunt and catch prey?
Swallow tail birds have evolved specialized adaptations for swiftly pursuing insects while in flight:
- Speed and maneuverability – Their streamlined body and long pointed wings enable quick, agile flight to chase down flying insects.
- Wide gape – They have a very wide mouth gape to snatch up insects mid-flight.
- Short legs – Their tiny legs don’t slow them down and are mostly used just for perching rather than walking/hopping.
- Large eyes – Excellent vision to spot and track insects while flying rapidly.
- Echolocation – Some species use echolocation or very rapid chattering calls to help locate and catch insects.
Swallows fly continuously during daylight hours on the hunt for insects. They drink by skimming the surface of water bodies while in flight. Swallows are perpetually in motion, only stopping to periodically perch. But they mostly remain on the wing capturing insects.
How do swallow tail birds catch insects so efficiently?
Research has revealed some key strategies swallows use that enable them to catch insects with such speed and efficiency:
- They anticipate where insects will fly rather than simply reacting after detecting them. Swallows project the trajectory of insects and position themselves to intercept.
- Flocks will coordinate together to drive insect swarms into tighter groups, making them easier to catch.
- Swallows try to catch insects Head-on – thisprovides the biggest target.
- Their wide mouth creates a large margin of error so they can still catch prey when slightly off target.
- Spiral gliding and zig-zag flights allow them to scan and cover a large area hunting for insect prey.
Experiments have shown barn swallows in particular have a highly optimized efficiency of prey capture. Their insect catching success rate is about 95% – an extremely high rate considering how fast they fly. Swallows have perfected the strategy of aerial insectivory.
How do swallow tail birds drink?
Swallow tail birds have weak legs that are not suited for wading into water. So they obtain water while flying. Swallows take drinks by skimming along the surface of water bodies and scooping up water in their mouth. They ingest water and excrete waste in mid-air.
Species like tree swallows sometimes land briefly on wet ground after rain to take in water. But they mostly rely on drinking during flight. Their throat and mouth are adapted to take in fluids while airborne.
Interestingly, a swallow’s need for water likely restricts its migration. Swallows must have access to bodies of water throughout their migration route in order to stay hydrated during their long journeys.
How do swallow tail birds communicate?
Swallow tail birds communicate using vocalizations and displays. Here are some of their common communication methods:
- Chattering – Many species use rapid chattering or twittering calls to communicate with flock mates while in flight.
- Songs – More melodious and complex songs are used to claim nesting territory and attract mates.
- Alarm calls – Harsh alarm calls alert others to danger or predators.
- Displays – Some species have flashy plumage or flight displays for courtship.
The vocal repertoire of swallows is quite simple compared to songbirds. But their calls are well-suited for communication while in rapid flight. Males sing from prominent perches to mark nesting territory and court females. Pairs may perform flight displays together.
How do swallow tail birds find a mate?
Most swallow species mate monogamously. Males arrive at the breeding grounds first and advertise for mates by singing from conspicuous perches near nesting sites. In colonial nesters, males establish and defend nesting territories.
Females arrive a bit later to assess potential nesting spots and mates. They may visit several males before choosing a mate. Females likely select males based on the quality of the nesting territory they can provide.
Pairs of cliff swallows engage in elegant in-flight displays, with the male pursuing the female at high speeds. These dizzying maneuvers may help cement the pair bond. Once pairs form, swallows tend to mate for life, though they may switch mates if one dies. Mates work together to build the nest and rear young.
How do swallow tail birds nest?
Different swallow species nest in various sites, but all build nests out of mud or similar material:
- Cliff swallows – Build gourd-shaped mud nests in colonies on cliffs or manmade structures.
- Barn swallows – Cup nests of mud and grasses stuck to vertical walls inside buildings or under bridges.
- Bank swallows – Burrows dug into dirt banks, usually in large colonies.
- Tree swallows – Use old woodpecker cavities or nest boxes.
- Purple martins – Nest in cavities; readily use manmade nest boxes.
The mud nests provide insulation and protection from the elements. Both sexes help build nests, though males do more of the initial construction. Females then complete lining the interior with softer materials like feathers.
How many eggs do swallow tail birds lay?
Clutch size varies by species, but swallows generally lay between 3 to 6 eggs. Here are some averages:
Species | Average Clutch Size |
---|---|
Barn swallow | 4-5 eggs |
Cliff swallow | 3-4 eggs |
Tree swallow | 4-7 eggs |
Purple martin | 4-6 eggs |
Eggs are oval shaped with a glossy white color. The female incubates the eggs for around 14-20 days before they hatch.
How do baby swallow tail birds grow and leave the nest?
Newly hatched swallow chicks are altricial – blind, naked, and helpless. Both parents feed the chicks regurgitated insects as they grow. Cliff swallow chicks take about a month to fledge, while barn swallows fledge in 17-24 days.
Just before fledging, the parents may stop feeding chicks to encourage them out of the nest. The chicks sit at the nest entrance waiting for the parents to bring food. Finally hunger motivates the chick to take its first flight.
The parents continue bringing the fledglings food as they refine their flying skills over 2-3 weeks. Eventually the young swallows become independent and migrate on their own in the fall.
What threats do swallow tail birds face?
Some major threats facing swallow species include:
- Declining insect populations – From pesticides and habitat loss. Swallows rely on abundant insects.
- Intensive agriculture – Removes vital nesting and foraging habitat.
- Climate change – Long distance migrants like swallows are vulnerable to shifting conditions and food sources.
- Extreme weather – Can destroy nests and kill hatchlings.
- Collision hazards – Windows, towers, turbines, wires, and vehicles post collision risks.
Protecting wetlands, reducing pesticide use, and providing nest boxes can help conserve swallow populations. Several species have declined significantly in numbers in recent decades, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
Why are swallow tail birds important for ecosystems?
Here are some key ecological roles played by swallows:
- They consume huge numbers of flying insects like flies, mosquitoes, and agricultural pests. This provides natural insect control.
- Their declining numbers can signal problems with insect populations and ecosystem health.
- They are important prey species for falcons, hawks, owls, and other predators.
- Their nests provide habitat for other wildlife. Eggs or chicks may be eaten by snakes or other animals.
- Purple martins help control mosquito populations around human dwellings when nest boxes are installed.
Swallow tail birds reflect the abundance of insects available during the breeding season. Their aerial insect hunting niche is unique and critical to balancing ecosystems.
Fun Facts About Swallow Tail Birds
- Barn swallows are one of the most widespread bird species in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica.
- Cliff swallows build gourd-shaped mud nests that may contain over 1000 pellets of mud.
- The purple martin can reach speeds over 40 mph in level flight.
- Tree swallows keep feathers over their nostrils closed while diving, likely to keep out debris.
- Bank swallows nesting colonially may have up to 500 nesting pairs in one site.
- Barn swallows are associated with horses, as they often built nests in stables where flies are abundant.
- Cliff swallow nests were used to make love potions by the Hopi tribe.
Conclusion
Swallow tail birds comprise an important and interesting family of birds. Their aerial agility, insectivorous appetite, communal nesting, and long migrations have captivated people for centuries. Protecting swallow populations ensures these acrobatic flyers continue gracing our skies for generations to come.