Top 12 Most Fascinating Facts About Swallows

Swallows are a group of passerine bird species scientifically classified as Hirundinidae. They are birds adapted to a life of aerial prey hunting. In Europe, swallows are also referred to as synonymous with house martins. Non-ornithological literature (mainly literature) uses the term martin to refer to species within this family.

Belonging to the Swift family, swallows are familiar birds closely associated with humans, originating from Africa. They easily adapt to a life of airborne prey hunting, swift flight, and serve as a beautiful symbol heralding the arrival of spring.

• Common name: Swallow
• English name: Marketing
• Scientific name: Hirundinidae
• Origin: Africa
• Characteristics: Nesting in caves
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Aves
• Order: Passeriformes
• Family: Swift
• Weight: 40 – 184 g
• Size: 10 – 24 cm

The feathers of swallows are typically blue, sometimes leaning towards a dark blackish-blue or glossy green on the upper part, with white stripes on the lower part.

Their singing is usually clear and melodious. They are musical geniuses, capable of modulating their songs into different pitches for various purposes.

The melodious singing and agile flying serve to attract mates or communicate within the flock. The lively and intense singing indicates excitement when signaling the arrival of a threat to the flock's territory. Or the faint 'chirping' of the young swallows demanding food.

Swallows primarily inhabit caves, mountainous, or arid regions; they quickly adapt to hunting for prey in the air in sparsely populated rural areas, with few trees, or areas near water.

Many swallow species build nests with mud near the top, providing a well-protected shelter from weather changes and predators. Those living in caves and mountain cliffs form large colonies. Species living in large colonies often have to contend with external parasites as well as intraspecific nest parasitism. Older males benefit the most from flock behavior, as they can maintain their own nests and benefit from extra-pair copulations that frequently occur.

Swallows/martins are considered beneficial birds as they feed on harmful insects and pests during the farming season. Swallows are also a symbol of spring or a good omen if they nest within the premises of a house. However, the indiscriminate trapping and consumption of swallows in various locations in Vietnam are condemnable and must be stopped.

Swallows are skilled fliers, using these aerial skills to attract mates and defend their territories. Generally, males select nesting sites and then attract females through singing and acrobatic flight displays, acting as both wooers and territorial guardians. Territory size varies between species; in those living in flocks, territories tend to be small, but they can also be much larger for solitary species.

Swallows spend most of their lives soaring through the skies, either in flock living or solitary existence as they please. They only touch ground when breeding season arrives.

As the cold season approaches, swallows quietly leave their habitats to avoid the chill, returning en masse in spring; however, they seldom fly in flocks.

Swallows are monogamous, choosing life partners in a “one spouse at a time” style. They usually reside near their breeding areas when not migrating and return to these locations later to build new nests and reproduce.

Swallows have adapted to the life of hunting insects while flying by developing a slender and graceful physique with long and pointed wings, allowing them flexibility and great endurance.

Swallows have small bodies, short and stout with a short, soft beak; strong jaw arch, wide mouth. Long, narrow, and pointed wings with 9 primary flight feathers. Long, deeply forked tail or slightly square with a notch and 12 tail feathers. The female has a longer tail than the male.

Short legs used for perching on branches or power lines, rarely for walking. Feathers are dark blue or glossy green on the upper part, plain or striped on the lower part, often white or reddish. Long tail feathers, the outer layer longer.

An adult swallow measures about 10 – 24 cm in body length and weighs around 40 – 184 g. Newly hatched chicks are featherless with closed eyes. Older chicks resemble a more subdued version of the adult.

Swallows are adapted to a nomadic life, hunting prey in sparsely populated areas with trees or soaring over bodies of water.

They feed on small insects such as flies, mosquitoes, ants, beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, etc., while flying or perching on the ground and branches to hunt for insects. They act as knights protecting crops from pestilent insects for the villagers.

For farmers, the presence of swallows nesting in the vicinity is a good omen and a sign of the approaching spring. Unfortunately, the act of hunting and trapping swallows for consumption in some regions of Vietnam has led to a significant decline in their population.

This behavior needs to be immediately stopped and rectified.

Mating pairs are monogamous, and non-migratory species often live near their breeding areas throughout the year, although the nesting area depends heavily on the breeding season. Migratory species usually return to the same breeding area each year and may choose the same nesting site if they were successful there before. First-time breeding pairs generally select a nesting area close to where they were born and raised.

Swallows often nest in caves, old buildings, towers, or structures created by humans. Their nests are typically made of mud, twigs, clay, or grass. During the breeding season, male swallows choose a nesting site and use their songs and unique flying styles to attract mates.

Female swallows lay eggs and typically lay 1-6 eggs per clutch. Swallow eggs are white and usually hatch after 19-23 days of incubation. Newly hatched chicks are featherless, and their eyes remain closed.

At this stage, both the male and female swallows take care of the chicks; they will bring food, a ball of insects comprising 300-1,000 individuals, and feed the chicks. The chicks will have enough feathers and leave the nest after 6-10 weeks; once they fly away, they will never return.

Due to their tendency to spend the majority of their time living and soaring in the sky, swallows are birds adapted to a life of airborne prey hunting. Their diet consists of various insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, flies, mosquitoes, spiders, and harmful caterpillars. Hence, they are considered highly beneficial natural predators, helping protect crops and control insect pests.

Similar to swifts, swallows are not suitable for confined environments. They thrive in open spaces and hunt for prey while in flight. Moreover, swallows are migratory birds, requiring a natural environment to be ready to adapt to changing living conditions with shifts in climate and temperature.

Currently, the population of swallow species is under threat. Their enemies include hawks, falcons, and some species of owls. However, the most dangerous and devastating adversary is humans. Many people hunt swallows for sale as a delicacy.

There are numerous swallow cages and bird traps advertised at relatively low prices by humans, but the consequences of these actions are extremely severe.

The declining population of swallows disrupts the ecological balance, eliminating a significant number of natural enemies that can lead to outbreaks of pests, resulting in damage to crops and affecting all aspects of agricultural production. Humans will increasingly resort to chemical pesticides, leading to environmental pollution and serious degradation.

Swallows and swifts, these are two bird species with many similarities, often causing confusion among people.

Here are some differences between these two bird species:

Appearance:

• Swallows:
  • At first glance, you can observe their glossy black or dark blue feathers. Swallows have relatively larger beaks compared to swifts.
  • Swallows have small but robust legs. Their feet usually consist of 3 small front toes and 1 small rear toe – aiding in better grip.
  • Swallows fly at a lower altitude than swifts. Swallows often have deeply forked tails.
• Swifts:
  • Examining their appearance, you'll notice that swifts have a dark blackish color. Their beaks are significantly smaller than those of swallows.
  • Swifts have relatively weak legs, making them unable to perch securely on objects. They can catch prey while flying effortlessly.

Environment:

• Swallows: Swallow nests are typically made from mud and grass. Their nests resemble those of common birds.
• Swifts: Swift nests are crafted from moss, various grasses, and their saliva, forming a compact structure.

Every year, swallows appear twice, migrating in the winter and returning with the arrival of spring. Therefore, seeing flocks of swallows gracefully soaring in the sky signals the coming of spring.

Since ancient times, swallows have become a symbol of spring, representing luck and abundance in people's minds, symbolizing a bountiful harvest. They inspire creativity for poets and writers of all ages, bringing peace to every home.

Swallows inhabit and nest primarily in countries in the northern hemisphere, with their highest prevalence in Vietnam in provinces such as Cao Bang and Lang Son. Each year, as the weather turns colder, they migrate to the southern hemisphere, reaching as far as Australia, and return home to the northern hemisphere when spring arrives.

Annually, they can cover a distance of up to 199,558 km. On average, an adult swallow can fly a total of around 4.5 million km. It is a long and arduous journey through regions with unusual climates, traveling from Africa to Europe, facing harsh cold winds and areas with insufficient food that have claimed the lives of thousands of birds.

Despite the challenges, thousands of other swallows can survive. They may pause their flight, walk on the ground to find food, and regain strength for the next leg of their journey.

Some species are migratory, while others, if not migratory, remain in their nests throughout the year. Those that migrate tend to return to the area where they nested before (the most successful breeding area they previously chose). They often choose new nests near where they were born and raised.

Some intriguing facts about swallows:

• Swallows, specifically, and the swallow family, in general, have a habit of choosing mates based on the length of their tails. They can eat, drink, sleep, and even mate while flying.
• Swallows are known as the fastest birds in the world, reaching maximum speeds (without carrying prey) of approximately 113 – 185 km/h. Particularly in spring, they often fly 2 to 6 times faster than in autumn.
• On average, in their lifetime, an adult swallow can cover a total distance of around 4.5 million km, equivalent to six round trips to the Moon or 100 orbits around the Earth before returning.
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