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Tachycineta bicolor
This swallow averages 13.5 cm (5 inches) long and weighs about 20 g. The bill is tiny. The adult Tree Swallow has iridescent blue-green upperparts, white underparts, and a very slightly forked tail. The female usually has duller colours than the male, often more greenish than the more bluish male. The juvenile plumage is dull grey-brown above and may have hint of a gray breast band.
Tree Swallows nest in natural or artificial cavities near water and are often found in large flocks. They readily use nest boxes, including those built for bluebirds. Declines in cavity-builder populations are resulting in fewer natural nesting sites for Tree Swallows, although the swallow population remains healthy.The Tree Swallow nest consists of multiple layers of grasses and thin twigs, and is lined with large feathers from other species.
The Tree Swallow nest consists of multiple layers of grasses and thin twigs, and is lined with large feathers from other species. The female lays 4 to 7 white eggs and incubates them by herself. The eggs hatch in about 14 days and the hatchlings are altricial. The hatchlings typically fledge in 16–24 days. While there are young or eggs in the nest, adults frequently dive bomb intruders (including curious humans) and attempt to drive them from the area. Tree Swallows are known to "fight" over feathers in mid-air for reasons which are still under investigation. There is some speculation that this is a form of play :))
9 Comments
Lovely!!
thank you Emma :)
second pic is very cute!
Super! LauraMaria:) I'll log Saturday, it'll be cool! I look forward to seeing your new discoveries:) Until then, good day
Haha, I bet that's what he thought! And yes, my trip is going well thanks, tomorrow is our last "science" day, so all our experiments end! I will be back on land on Saturday :) I will have lots of photos to share! And yes, now that we are close to Scotland I have a good internet connection :D
Yes I think the second picture he looked at me strangely. As if he said "what are you doing with that box in front of my house?" Hahahahaha Another topic: I hope your trip goes well , Enjoy this, me if I could ,I love traveling :) It's cool that you find an internet connection! :)) xx
hahahaha I didn 't notice the small insects:)) Prince William and Kate came to Quebec but I saw them only that on television as the whole planet. I live too far from where they are going.
Ohhh sooo cute!! I love the second picture so much :) What a fantastic shot, Luc!
Thanks for sharing this cute bird with us!
You could have 3 spottings in one! There is a housefly on one side of the box and a spider on the other!
BTW did you see Prince William and kate in Quebec?