Golondrinas

Swallow or Andorina, is one of the most popular and best studied birds. Closely linked to studies on bird migration, reproduction and sexual criteria. The swallow is a very common and established species, which has allowed different studies that have brought ornithologists closer to understanding much about birds from this species. However, not because they are common, the number of swallows remains intact, but rather it is declining. Different policies that are taking place and also affectations and techniques in the agricultural world have produced that their number is diminished.

In this section you will discover its morphology, where and how it lives, its diet, its reproductive habits, and its peculiar chattering song. Also some curiosities about it, the preferred areas of its nests and its predators.

Descriptive and anatomical aspects of the swallow

The Andorina is a passerine bird of the hirundinidae family of birds. Those commonly known as singing birds or birds. There are 6 subspecies of swallows that extend throughout the northern hemisphere. Of these 6 subspecies, 4 of them are migratory and migrate to the southern hemisphere, some even reaching Australia. They occupy and cover such a wide territory and in number of them, that make it not a threatened or endangered species. It is estimated that there are some 190 million individuals that extend over an area of ​​43 million square kilometers.

The Swallow is a small bird that measures between 14 and 5 centimeters of length. Your weight fluctuates between 18 and 20 grams. The upper part is a dark metallic blue, and the lower part of its face, along with its chin and throat, are dark red. Separated from its reddish color by a dark blue stripe, we find the part of the abdomen of a whitish color. The feathers at the ends of the tail, also of that dark color, are elongated.s, and being longer, they give it that sensation of a fork or prolonged "U" so characteristic when watching them fly. The difference between males and females is that the females' feathers are shorter, that whitish abdomen is paler, as is the blue on the chest and upper part.

Singing and its different sounds

The swallow song of both males and females is usually a long series of calls that may be followed by up to a dozen rapid buzzes with a final chirp. They are usually done during courtship and when laying eggs.. It can last from 4 to 20 seconds, and that chirp occurs both at the beginning and at the end of these.

The common sound is a two-note warble., the first note is lower than the second, which is higher. Its tonality is decreasing, making that end like a whistle.

They also make sounds when they anticipate a threat. varying the sounds they make. For example, if there is a feline, one type of sound is used, a different one for birds of prey, and even another to scare away predators that may be near the nest.

Although we find some irony in the following, sometimes males can see how another male can copulate with a female. Sometimes they do not hesitate to emit a threatening sound, which is actually false, thus managing to scare them and stop the sexual reproduction that was going to take place.

What does the arrival of the swallows mean?

The arrival of the swallows is prior to their breeding season. It is the moment in which they begin to arrive after their migrations and announce the arrival of spring. They usually arrive between the months of April and May normally, although sometimes they can be found a little earlier, in March. This is mainly due to the increase in temperatures, which makes early flowering possible and the appearance of insects earlier than usual.

They are animals with an amazing memory, and the same specimens as the previous year or years can be found nesting in the same area. Sometimes even using the same nest they were in. The reason for this migration is none other than the lack of food during the winter period. As they become scarce, they have to move towards the southern zone where there are better temperatures and the ease of finding food is more remarkable.

It has been a symbol associated with good luck, and especially in family matters. For example, in the past, before technologies existed, sailors associated seeing them with the presence of nearby dry land. And since swallows always return to the same places they were, it was associated with the meaning of "going home safe and sound."

When do swallows breed?

They generally reproduce between May and August, although that may vary depending on areas. The age to reproduce is from very young. Swallows are usually able to do so in the first breeding season since birth. Of course, the laying of eggs of the youngest is usually less numerous than that of adults.

Males are usually the first to arrive at the reproductive areas, followed by females. In addition, they are the ones in charge of choosing the place of the nest. They usually indicate it to the female by making a circling flight accompanied by a song. Both collaborate in the construction and defense of the nest, although if there are predators, the males tend to be more aggressive and territorial.

Many of their nests can be found in the upper part of the roofs of human buildings. That confidence in the human being means that they can verify that we rarely represent a threat to them. At the same time, they find an ideal place to keep them away from predators that would not approach buildings frequented by man.

The criterion that most conditions females to mate with males lies in the long tail feathers. The reason is that long swallowtail feathers are associated with greater longevity, which is a strong indicator of vitality and good genetics. Another criterion is the white spots on the tail, which in the case of long feathers the spots are usually larger. There are many avian parasites that prefer whitetails, and showing them in good condition without being damaged indicates good health and reproductive quality.

In case the playback is successful, a pair of swallows can last many years, although eventually the females may attempt to mate with other males. For this reason, the males will continue to watch them, so as not to be deceived, and they will not hesitate to give a false alarm call to avoid copulation outside the pair. These facts make swallows generally monogamous, although they can sometimes be polygamous.

What do swallows eat?

Most of the swallows feed on flying insects. They are insectivorous, and can easily hunt them in mid-flight. Depending on the time of year, their needs and what they have, their diet may vary. They tend to prefer large insects, but not just any, some of which sting like bees or wasps do not enter their diet. Depending on the speed of the flight of their prey, the swallows adapt theirs to adapt it in the hunt. From glides, circle flights, or faster flapping.

Some of its species have been found that can consume fruits or certain vegetables, such as in Africa. Specimens that feed on acacia seeds have been found.

One of their hunting strategies is adapted to the human being. This is the search for prey where people are found. Even if there is agricultural machinery working, they usually come close and we can see them hunting, taking advantage of the insects that start to fly away. Depending on the species of swallow it is, there are some that tend to hunt closer to the ground than others.

Swallows Curiosities

• Their nests are made of mud, and a pair of swallows can make up to 1000 trips in search of mud for its construction.
• They are capable of feeding their young in mid-flight.
• When they migrate, they usually travel in groups. The distance they can travel is about 960 kilometers per day.
• A swallow is a type of bird that prefers to spend more time in the air than any other.
• Their sense of direction is so good that they are able to remember where they had the nest from one year to the next.
• In some cultures, seeing swallows is a good sign, an omen of wealth and abundance.
• Although it is said that swallows predict the weather, it is not entirely true. In reality, they are the insects that prefer to fly at lower levels so as not to be knocked down by the strong winds that they find above.
• Its incubation period is 12 to 18 days. They lay between 3 and 6 eggs. The weight of each egg is 1 to 4 grams.
• Andorinas are very singing birds and much of the time is spent singing.
• Swallows comprise the most spectacular march of migratory birds. A single flock can contain thousands of individuals.