May 9, 2008

The amazing swallow

The tiny swallow is one of life’s true survivors

By Joan King
Special to the Times

Whenever we feel sorry for ourselves because it’s cold and raining, think of the hardships suffered by swallows. They are intolerant of extremes in weather. They aren't just miserable—they die!

The swallow is one of nature’s true survivors.

In order to survive, the swallow must travel thousands of miles to find warmth and food. From our cold winter, they fly south to below the equator as far as Argentina in South America. Then they must return north to Mexico and the U.S. to nest.

They arrive here in mid-March to build their nest, lay eggs and raise their babies before returning to Argentina with their young in tow for life-saving warmth. It is a life of hardships.

While here, swallows must find the right kind of soil and a source of water to make tiny mud beads, which they stick together with their saliva. It takes between 1,200 and 2,000 dirt pearls for each nest. This is after finding a food source so they can feed and rest after their exhausting flight.

Finally the swallows mate, laying four or five eggs with each parent taking turns incubating, while the other feeds. When the babies hatch in three weeks, they again take turns keeping them warm because the young birds are born bare skinned with their eyes sealed shut. As soon as the pin-feathers develop, both parents leave the nest to find food.

Swallow parents share feeding equally. Babies must be fed every 20 minutes from dawn to dusk, for over 12 hours everyday. If one parent dies, only two babies will survive. In 21 to 25 days, if food has been abundant, the young swallows are ready to leave the nest taking at least two hours of fluttering on the ground with parental encouragement before they become airborne. The parents fly alongside their young until they master the new skill. They return to their nest to rest and sleep at night.

The swallow parents continue to nourish their babies until their offspring learn to self-feed. They feed "on the fly" by scooping insects in flight. Their manner of feeding is of great benefit to humans as swallows are the perfect non-toxic pest control for flies, gnats, mosquitoes and all other insects.

Sadly, many people knock down swallow nests because of their droppings below. Other people wait until eggs hatch and then bat the nests and the babies to the ground. By federal law, in accordance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, active nests of migratory birds are not to be touched or destroyed if there are eggs inside. The fine is $15,000 and up to six months of federal imprisonment.

A barn swallow nest has a group of hungry nestlings.

Many people enjoy swallows nesting on or around their homes. They can be your favorite summer visitors. For those who do not want swallows nesting on their home or nearby structures, there are humane ways to discourage them from doing so before they build their nest such as:

*Smooth metal or slick smooth surfaces will prevent swallows from adhering their mud nests to a wall.

*Paint the area with a glossy latex paint to create a smooth texture on walls where swallow nests are unwanted.

*Another easy and cheap way to prevent swallows from building their nests in unwanted areas is to spray the surfaces with "PAM," the non-stick cooking spray. Mud swallow nests will not stick. Or, purchase Bird Slide anti-roosting and nesting solution at www.birdslide.com.

*Attach plastic netting to buildings pulled taunt to reduce flapping in the wind. Mesh size should be about 3/4 inch. Leave it up permanently or remove after the nesting season.

*Blocking the entrance will prevent swallows from nesting inside buildings. Hang netting, strip doors of vinyl plastic or similar material across the entrance. 

The swallows arrive in mid-March and leave in September and are beneficial while they are here, with little appreciation. Swallows are mesmerizing to watch, from their industrious housing endeavors thru their unconditionally dedicated parenting skills.

For more information on swallows or any wild animal, visit the Web site www.nativeanimalrescue.org or call Native Animal Rescue, Santa Cruz County's at (831) 462-0720 or www.wcsv.org, or call Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley at (408) 929-9453.

Joan King is a swallow rehabilitator with Native Animal Rescue.