Monday, November 05, 2018

Welcome Swallow (Hirondelle messagère)

     In North America we are used to hirundines being migratory, with perhaps the most famous being the swallows that return to the mission at San Juan Capistrano in California each year on the 19th of March. Legend has it that an irate innkeeper had destroyed their nests so when they returned the following year they sought sanctuary in the mission where their nests would be safe, and have returned ever since.
    Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) is a resident species in Australia, with some erratic migration within the country. In many regions, however, even that movement does not occur.



     On our recent visit to Australia we encountered this very attractive swallow in every state we visited, seeing them right from the first day at the Sydney Botanic Garden. Indeed, a vivid image in my mind, is of Welcome Swallows swooping and gliding with the Sydney Opera House in the background; truly representing a welcome to visitors from overseas.
     We were present during the start of the breeding season for the species, and Franc captured a remarkable series of images of birds gathering mud for the construction of their nests.





     Males are first to bring mud to a site for a nest, but both males and females build the nest. Old nests are also repaired. Most activity takes place during the morning.





     Copulation may take place on a perch near the nest, both during construction and when it is complete.
     The nest is a half cup attached to a vertical surface. Artificial structures are generally used rather than natural sites, using bridges, verandas, rafters, water tanks, and even "outback" mailboxes. Nests are usually located on the outside of buildings, but not always.





     Second clutches are not unusual and the female does virtually all the incubation, in many pairs exclusively. Average clutch size is four eggs, rarely five or three.



     In sedentary pairs the nest may be used for roosting after the breeding season is over.

References: Swallows and Martins (1989), Angela Turner and Chris Rose; Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 9 (2004), del Hoyo,J., Elliott, A & Christie, D.A.


David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

39 comments:

  1. A beautiful Swallow wallowing in the mud, great photos David.

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  2. Hari Om
    They are always a 'welcome' sight... and bravo once more to Franc! YAM xx

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  3. Love this post of a very beautiful swallow and I really like the story about them nesting in the mission. Well done David for the write up and Franc for the great photos. Have a good week, Diane

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  4. Fantastic collection David. Franc is the best ;-)

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  5. Hello David!
    Great captures of this beautiful Swallow bird!
    Thank you for sharing all those interesting information!
    Have a nice week!
    Dimi...

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  6. Otro precioso y muy bien documentado reportaje amigo Doctor David, y como siempre preciosas fotografías del amigo Franc. Son unas golondrinas preciosas, por desgracia en mi zona no las suelo ver, ¡¡ya quisiera yo!! Me encantan esas bellas aves.
    Un fuerte abrazo amigo y te deseo una feliz semana.

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  7. So special and beautiful swallow, David!

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  8. What a colorful little guy, and I think he lives up the his name. He would be very WELCOME to visit me!

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  9. Nice highlight of the Welcome Swallow!

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  10. Pretty bird going about it's business.
    Well captured, wish I could do that.

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  11. David, när jag läste inledningen till texten var det som om en nyckel vreds om och öppnade upp ett minne från min ungdom, en sångtext som jag ofta lyssnade till men som sedan länge legat gömd långt ner i minnets labyrinter "when the swallows come back to Capistrano"

    Vilken märklig upplevelse, jag blev rörd.

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  12. What a charming name for such a delightful-looking swallow, David. The blue in the plumage is wonderful. Without checking, I can't remember a swallow without the virtually black upper plumage - no doubt you could reel off the names of a few species, however! My love to you and Miriam - - - Richard

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  13. It seems that the more birds' migration patterns are studied the more complex they become. When I worked on a farm most of our swallows nested inside our barns, sheds and pig sties. some of our sows were kept outside during summer and the mudhole we provided for the pigs to cool down in was much appreciated by the swallows as a source of building material.

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  14. Hello, I like the name Welcome Swallow. It is a beautiful bird. Lovely collection of photos.
    Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

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  15. What a delightful looking swallow and the images are all wonderful :)

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  16. This is fascinating. Thanks for taking us to a world of which I know little and sharing such good info. I've seen birds run about with grass or straw in their mouths; the mud was new. That swallow is downright gorgeous and I'm so glad your visit was timed to be able to enjoy this experience!

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  17. Hi David,
    A beautiful series of images of this lovely Swallow! Fantastic name and warm welcome!
    Best regards,
    Maria

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  18. Hi David - Francs photos are extraordinary ... just lovely to see - thank you for sharing them with us. What a delightful little bird ... and with great information about their early settling down in a home with babes to come ... cheers Hilary

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  19. What an amazing bird, and indeed its name is beautiful too.

    Coffee with blueberry muffins sounds lovely. :)

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  20. Lovely photos! Even though they are quite common I do always like to see these little guys - or hear their chatter as they fly overhead.

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  21. Hi David,
    It is always a pleasure to observe the swallows, especially during the breeding season. Besides that, taking pictures of them is not always easy. The series you present us here is simply great and worth looking at.
    Greetings, Kees

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  22. Hello! A beautiful bird. Great photos.

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  23. Beautiful images of this lovely swallow .. congratulations

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  24. Ohhh!
    Such a pretty bird, great photos,David.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Tomoko: It is wonderful to hear from you again after a long absence. I hope that all is well. David

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  25. Interesting, David. I've never seen a swallow such colorful. Here we see black-white swallows. I liked to see how they doing with mud :-)

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    1. It is a remarkable feat for a bird to build a nest.

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  26. Great pictures David. I'm looking forward to our Swallows returning next year.

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  27. what a beautiful bird, moving about with what seems to be great determination!!

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  28. Beautiful swallow, very similar as you say to Hirundo rustica, did not know of the existence of the species. Very well captured the moment when looking for material to make its nest that I think should be very similar to the species mentioned above

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  29. ohhhhhhhhh ............. this is also such a great beautiful series.
    You swallow the beautiful swallow. The colors are also very beautiful of this bird and you see his details really well in the picture. Wonderful to see and executed beautifully.

    Big kiss
    Helma

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  30. Love this series of photos - felt like I was there! Wonderful colors.

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  31. A most beautiful bird.
    Lovely series of photographs.

    All the best Jan

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