Barn Swallow Babies

Two 'pretty-new' Barn Swallows look skyward in hopes of a food delivery coming pretty soon.

New to this world and clueless as to what to make of EVERYTHING, they react in unison to each passing adult with an insect for another fledgling.

The parent Barn Swallows weren't ignoring their offspring. They were skimming the inner harbor waters of Port Washington, Wisconsin.

Darting back and forth, they'd snatch insects from the air and water.

The fledglings waited, not by choice, rather... What-choice-do-we-have? 

They struggled to remain balanced on the slippery, shiny chrome boat railing they had chosen as a perch.

Just when they felt secure, a ripple in the water sent them tumbling.

It didn't help, either, having a clumsy brother socking you sideways.

(Click any picture to enlarge.)

The fledglings' demand for insects seemed without end, yet occasional rests were in order for the parents.

It's a good opportunity to point out the finer points of this male Barn Swallow: blue-black upper side, orange underside and a dark rufous throat.

The female Barn Swallow is similarly spectacular with a paler orange underside.

They are smooth, agile and swift flyers. Just watching them collecting airborne insects is entertainment in itself. 

Delivering a high speed mouthful of insects on the wing is a challenge.

Coming in fast and low, with no intention of stopping, the female lines up an open mouth.

In his excitement, however, the fledgling slips off the shiny chrome.

No problem.  Mother course-corrects and aces the youngster's food delivery.

Then she veers off smoothly to let the fledgling collect himself. 

This show of arial dexterity certainly goes on where you live. Barn Swallows are common along streams, lakes and ponds.

They live most everywhere in North America... Alaska to Mexico, East Coast to West Coast and so fun to watch!

Allan

Credits: The Sibley's Guide to Birds.

Barn Swallow

Following Barn Swallows in flight is a head-bobbing, neck-swiveling, and frustrating task.

With rapid wing beats plus darting and diving, they scoop up airborne insects.

In tawny soft shades of white and rusty orange, these beautifully outlined birds put on a high speed precision flying show for your entertainment.

Weighing in at 0.7 ounce he's mostly wings and tail.  With his quizzically rounded head and not much of a neck, he still manages to attract a mate.

This pair has taken over a spot on the Horicon Marsh Visitor Center.

Before there were buildings for Barn Swallows to co-opt, they lived in caves.

Nowadays they live on manmade structures almost exclusively... barns, bridges, sheds, etc.

A cobalt blue head is the Barn Swallow's crowning feature. If you're patient, one might oblige you with a full frontal portrait and allow you the necessary time to take him all in.

Allan
Credit: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds

Barn Swallow

Proudly posing for pictures, the Barn Swallow is at home around people. The "Barn" in their name probably was given to them when they began nesting in barns. An estimated 98% of Barn Swallows now live in or around human habitation. Why they came to choose man-made structures over caves and cliffs to raise their young is not fully understood. Barns and building are relatively new to a bird that evolved well before modern structures.

This male Barn Swallow is on the Horicon Marsh Auto Trail near Waupun, Wisconsin. It's a driving tour of the north end of this 32,000 acre marsh. The trail provides close-up access to birds that would quickly fly away if they knew there was a human in each car.

Washed in rusty colors below and deep blues above, the Barn Swallow is common in North and South America in alternating seasons. Males and females look similar, although the male's colors stand out more.

He glides over the water, heading for his private patch of territory on the marsh's viewing platform.

Food is gathered on the wing. Skimming along the surface of the water she grabs insects that flutter in fear. Those insects account for nearly all of the Barn Swallow's dietary needs.

Barn Swallows won't visit your bird feeder, but they could be encouraged to nest nearby if you have a source of water for insects, mud for their nest, and a suitable structure to build upon. They build a mud nest which could look a bit untidy depending on location.

Raising  young is a demanding and
all-consuming task. As a member of a colony of birds protection of the young becomes a shared duty.

Many eyes watch for danger. Gulls, grackles and hawks prey on Barn Swallow young.
A coordinated response by the Barn Swallows often repel threats as they mob their attackers.

Additionally, non-breeding juveniles may help parents in rearing the young by providing food and protection for the next generation of hatchlings.

This communal approach to raising young insures a higher degree of success and undoubtedly contributed to the classification of the Barn Swallow being listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN*

(click any picture to enlarge)

Allan

Credit: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds and *IUCN-International Union for the Conservation of Nature