Glossy Swiftlet

Description:

Apodidae; Collocalia esculenta (Linnaeus, 1758). [First, please excuse the terrible photo, to avoid disturbing the birds too much, it had to be taken in pitch darkness] A few days ago, when I walked under our water tower, at the back of the house (see Habitat), I saw an old nest on the ground and knew that the swifts must be back a little early this year. When I looked up, I saw the beginnings of a new nest which, of course, confirmed that the old one had not just fallen down. The swifts had torn it down to make way for a new one. This morning, at 5:30 a.m, I went out to give our dogs their breakfast and a swift flashed past within a few inches of my face. So, that confirmed to me that the nest builders were new. They always try to scare me away from their nest until they gradually learn that I am not a threat. Then they, just barely, tolerate my trespassing on their property. They even allow me to take one or two photos and, for my part, I do not allow anyone to go too near so that they are not disturbed. The arrangement suits me very well.

Habitat:

Behind our house, there is a concrete tower which supports a water tank. The beams on the underside of the platform make corners where they join. These corners seem to be ideal for these swifts. They have been been building nests there, generation after generation for about 20 years, ever since the tower was built.

Notes:

These birds do not appear to be very good nest builders. Some times they just come back to last season's nest and clean it up a little before settling in to lay, I am not sure, but I think only one or two eggs. That often ends in disaster. I have seen fallen nests and broken eggs on the floor many times.. Sometimes they are more industrious and tear down the old nest, before starting anew with a fresh one. This appears to give a better result. The nest in this spotting is new, but looks a little on the scrappy side. I suspect that the occupants are young inexperienced nest builders (last season's chicks). It is difficult to discern what wings and feathers belong to which bird when they are both squeezed into such a tiny nest and, of course, there is also an egg (or chick) somewhere in there.