Swallows are a widely distributed bird of the globe, they belong to the order Swift and there are many different species, the most common of which is the house swallow. The scientific name of the house swallow is Delichonurbicum, and its appearance is black head and back, white belly and tail, gray wings, and black beak and feet. The house swallow has a body length of about 12 centimeters, a wingspan of about 26 centimeters, and a weight of about 20 grams.
House swallows are birds that like to be close to humans, and they usually build their nests under human roofs, sharing an eaves with humans. The nest of the house swallow is made of a mixture of mud and plant fibers and is hemispherical in shape with a small entrance. House swallows' nests can accommodate two adult swallows and four to six cubs, and the nest is usually covered with feathers and fur to keep them warm and cozy.
House swallows are migratory birds that migrate each year in spring and autumn in search of a suitable climate and food. The food of house swallows is mainly insects in flight, such as mosquitoes, flies, bees, etc. When prey, house swallows open their mouths and use the mucus in their mouths to stick to the insects and swallow them. House swallows can eat food equivalent to their own body weight every day to maintain the energy to fly at high speeds.
House swallows are loyal birds, and they generally have lifelong mates with the same swallow, and they nest, brood, and migrate together. House swallows are also social birds, they will form a group with other swallows, communicate, cooperate and compete with each other. The call of house swallows is a high-frequency chirp that uses different tones and rhythms to express different emotions and messages. Jiayan's flying skills are very high, and they can perform a variety of complex maneuvers in the air, such as hovering, diving, rolling, etc., to avoid enemies or attract partners.
Nesting options for swallows
Why don't swallows enter the "bitter cold gate", and how do they distinguish between the "poor" and the "rich"? In fact, swallows are not really able to distinguish between rich and poor people, they just choose the most suitable nest for themselves according to their nesting habits and conditions. So, what are the nesting habits and conditions of swallows?
Security. The first condition for swallows to build a nest is safety, because the nest is the home of the swallow and the basis for the swallow's survival and reproduction. The swallow's nest should be able to withstand the effects of natural factors such as wind and rain, sunlight, and cold, as well as be able to prevent natural predators such as snakes, cats, and mice. Therefore, swallows will choose to build their nests under high eaves or in hidden corners. Such a place can not only shield from the invasion of nature, but also reduce the detection of natural predators. And in general, the rich man's house is taller and larger than the poor man's house, and the eaves are wider and thicker, so it is more able to meet the safety needs of the swallows.
Robustness. The second condition for swallows to build a nest is stability, because the nest is an investment for the swallow and an asset for the swallow. The swallow's nest is made of a mixture of mud and plant fibers, which requires the swallow to latch it little by little with its beak and then glue it with saliva, which is very time-consuming and laborious. Moreover, the swallow's nest is reusable, and the swallow will repair and clean its nest every year when it returns from migration for the next breeding. Therefore, the nest of the swallow should be able to attach firmly to the eaves and not be easily damaged by the wind or man-made. And in general, the houses of the rich are stronger and have flatter eaves than the houses of the poor, so they are more able to meet the stable needs of the swallows.
Comfort. The third condition for swallows to build a nest is comfort, because the nest is a breeding ground for swallows and a paradise for swallows. The swallow's nest should be able to provide suitable environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, light, and air to facilitate the rest of the swallows and the growth of their cubs. Also, the swallow's nest should be able to provide enough space to accommodate the swallow's mates and offspring, as well as the swallow's food and materials. Therefore, the nest of swallows should be able to adapt to different climates and seasonal changes, as well as to be able to adapt to different needs of life and breeding.