Tree Swallows Leaving a Backyard Nest

Posted by Bob Lefebvre

Beryl Isaacs has been watching a pair of Tree Swallows that nested in McKenzie Lake in SE Calgary. The nest hole was in an old  post in her neighbour’s yard. All photos by Beryl Isaacs.

Tree Swallow

There were four baby Tree Swallows in the nest on July 4, 2018.

Tree Swallow

Baby Tree Swallows waiting to be fed.

Tree Swallow

The young Swallows are almost ready to fledge.

House Sparrow

A House Sparrow at the nest hole.

Tree Swallow

As the swallows fledged, one begged for food from the House Sparrow.

Tree Swallow

The House Sparrow attacked the young swallow, but no damage was done.

The House Sparrow, judging by its plumage and the yellow gape at the corner of its mouth, is a recently fledged bird itself. Adult House Sparrows sometimes kill young birds of other species if they get the chance.

Beryl was lucky to see Tree Swallows successfully nest in the city. Since House Sparrows and Tree Swallows are about the same size, they use the same size of nest holes. Aggressive House Sparrows usually harass Tree Swallows that try to nest in backyard boxes or nest holes. Tree Swallows are far more successful when nesting in city parks or outside the city, away from House Sparrows, which are almost always found near human structures.

Tree Swallow

Parent Tree Swallow feeding a fledged bird.

Tree Swallow

Still feeding during the fledging process.

Tree Swallow

 

Tree Swallow

By the end of the day the young swallows had all fledged and were not seen again at the nest.

Have you had any birds nest in your yard this year? Share your photos here [birdscalgary(at)gmail.com].

4 thoughts on “Tree Swallows Leaving a Backyard Nest

  1. Pingback: Tree Swallows Leaving a Backyard Nest – Birds Calgary – Wolf's Birding and Bonsai Blog

  2. Numerous sightings of Sandhill Crane flying around the Fordville Lake area (north of Millarville). Singletons and for the first time a few days ago four! Still not sure where these birds are nesting. Often heard shortly after sunrise.

  3. Beautiful photos. We are monitoring bluebirds and the tree swallows are their nemesis. But we still love them.

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