TREE SWALLOW:

Tree swallows are the migratory birds found in the central and northern North America. They are graceful and attractive birds. They can feed on seeds and nest in abandoned cavities.

Tree Swallow Scientific name: 

Scientific name of tree swallow is “Tachycintea bicolor”.

Other names: 

Some other names of tree swallow are, 

• Golondrina bicolor.
• Hirondelle bicolore.

Tree Swallow Size: 

The average size of tree swallow is 5.8 inches.

Tree Swallow Weight: 

The average weight of tree swallow is 17 to 25 grams.

Tree Swallow Wingspan: 

The average wingspan of tree swallow is 11.8 to 13.8 inches.

Tree Swallow Habitat: 

• Tree swallows live near water including meadows, marshes and beaver ponds. 
• They mostly live in cavities provided by dead trees, holes in trees, caves in buildings etc.

Tree Swallow Appearance: 

1. Tree swallows are small birds. 
2. They have long wings and small feet. 
3. They have white breast, chin and belly.
4. Their upper side of the body is greenish blue.
5. Their beak is black coloured and feet are reddish brown coloured.

Tree Swallow Behavior: 

1. Tree swallows are social.
2. They exhibit a defending behavior for their nests against other nest competitors.
3. They usually show aggressive responses towards the nest competitors.
4. They are migratory birds.
5. They usually migrate during day time and roost at night in groups.
6. They tend to flight and glide more than other types of swallows.
7. They swoop down over water or start preening during rainfall for bathing purposes.
8. They are motile.

Tree Swallow Communication: 

1. Tree swallows use sounds and movements for communication.
2. Males can sing.
3. Both the males and females use calls for communication.
4. These calls can be used to indicate distress and anxiety as well as need for copulation.
5. Some of them either crouch or flutter their wings to show aggression.

Tree Swallow Diet: 

• Tree swallows are mainly carnivores and insectivores.
• They eat flying insects and plants.
• They can prey on flies, ants, spiders and grasshoppers.
• Vegetation includes bayberries and some other seeds.

Tree Swallow Breeding: 

1. Tree swallows are monogamous.
2. They breed once a year between May and September.
3. The nests are usually made in abandoned cavities in dead trees, holes in trees or caves of buildings.
4. Nests are mostly made by females.
5. Nest formation takes 2 to 3 weeks.
6. Female lays 4 to 7 (sometimes 2 to 8) eggs.
7. The eggs are pale pink at first which then fades to white.
8. The incubation period is 14 to 15 days.
9. After hatching, both the parents take care and find food for their chicks.
10. After 18 to 22 days, the chicks leave the nest.

Tree Swallow Migration: 

• Tree swallows migrate mostly in spring to north.
• They migrate to south in July.
• They migrate in flocks day by day.

Predation: 

• Some common predators of tree swallows include black berries, rat snakes, common grackles, raccoons, American crows etc.
• The response of tree swallows towards these predators is mobbing.

Relationship between humans and tree swallows: 

• Tree swallows control pest population.
• They feed on many kinds of insects that are considered as pests by humans.

Tree Swallow Conservation status: 

• The International Union for Conservation considers tree swallows to be “least concerned”.
• They have quite stable population.

Tree Swallow Lifespan: 

The average lifespan of tree swallows is 2.7 to 12 years.

Tree Swallow Flying: 

• Tree swallows spend most of their time flying and gliding than any other kind of swallow.
• They migrate towards north in spring and towards south in autumn.
• They migrate during day in flocks and roost at night.
• The average wingspan is 11.8 to 13.8 inches.

Tree Swallow Habitat:

• Tree swallows are found in central and northern North America.
• They live near water.
• They mostly live in marshes, meadows and ponds.
• They can also live in abandoned cavities such as in dead trees or caves in buildings.

Tree Swallow Eggs:

• The eggs of tree swallow are pale pink initially and then turn white.
• This change of colour occurs within 4 days.
• Female lays 4 to 7 eggs.
• Incubation period is 14 to 15 days.
• Nestling period is 18 to 22 days.

Tree Swallow Attack:

• Because of the lack of abundant suitable nestling sites, tree swallows are very protective for their nests.
• They show aggressive behavior towards other nest competitors.
• They can also kill the one trying to occupy their nests.

Tree Swallow Aggressive:

• Tree swallows are aggressive with respect to nest site competition.
• They usually crouch or flutter their wings to show aggression towards other nest competitors.

Tree Swallow All About Birds:

• Tree swallows are mainly found in northern and central North America.
• They live in marshes, meadows and cavities.
• They feed on insects and vegetation.

Tree Swallow Baby Birds:

• After the incubation period of 14 to 15 days, the chicks start hatching.
• After hatching, both the parents provide food to the young one.
• After the nestling period of 18 to 22 days, the baby birds leave the nest.
• If you spot a baby bird without feathers on the ground then you can return it to the nest.

Tree Swallow Behavior:

• Tree swallows are social, migratory and motile.
• They show aggression towards other nest competitors because of nest site competition.
• They usually migrate during day and roost at night.
• They like flying and gliding more than other types of swallows.

Tree Swallow Colors:

• The body of tree swallow is multi coloured. 
• The upper side of the body of tree swallow is greenish blue.
• Breast, belly and chin are white coloured.
• Beak is black and feet are reddish brown.

Tree Swallow Egg Size:

• Female tree swallow lays 4 to 7 eggs.
• The eggs are pale pink at first and then become white.
• The length of the egg is 1.7 to 2 centimeters.
• The width of the egg is 1.3 to 1.4 centimeters.

Tree Swallow Egg Colour:

• The eggs of tree swallows are pink coloured initially. They become white coloured later.
• The number of eggs laid is 4 to 7.
• The incubation period is 14 to 15 days.
• Nestling period is 18 to 22 days.

Tree Swallow Fun Facts:

• Tree swallows are found mainly in northern and central North America.
• They live in meadows, ponds and cavities.
• They migrate during day and roost at night.
• They eat insects as well as several plants.
• The oldest tree swallow recorded is of 12 years.

Tree Swallow Food:

• Tree swallows are carnivorous and insectivorous.
• They eat insects and plants.
• They can feed on flies, ants and grasshoppers as well as bayberries and seeds.

Conclusion:

Tree swallows are the most attractive birds because of their multicolored body. They are migratory birds found in northern and central North America. They are carnivores and insectivores. They are well known for their nestling sites in abandoned cavities.