
Puffins, Kittiwakes, Razorbills and other threatened seabirds have been thrown a lifeline, after decades of campaigning ...
diff --git "a/3690ea82-ed89-49a2-9533-652502cc963a.json" "b/3690ea82-ed89-49a2-9533-652502cc963a.json" new file mode 100644--- /dev/null +++ "b/3690ea82-ed89-49a2-9533-652502cc963a.json" @@ -0,0 +1,40 @@ +{ + "interaction_id": "3690ea82-ed89-49a2-9533-652502cc963a", + "search_results": [ + { + "page_name": "Swallow Migration | When Do Swallows Migrate? - The RSPB", + "page_url": "https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/natures-home-magazine/birds-and-wildlife-articles/migration/migratory-bird-stories/swallow-migration/", + "page_snippet": "The swallow is one of our most famous summer visitor. It migrates to the UK around mid-April, having flown from Africa. Read more about swallow migrationBy early September, most swallows are preparing to migrate. They flutter about restlessly, and often gather on telegraph wires. Most leave the UK during September, with early broods of youngsters being the first to go. But a few stragglers may hang around into October. \u00b7 The return journey to Africa takes about six weeks. Swallows from different parts of Europe fly to different destinations. Swallows migrate during daylight, flying quite low and covering about 320 km (200 miles) each day. At night they roost in huge flocks in reed-beds at traditional stopover spots. Since swallows feed entirely on flying insects, they don\u2019t need to fatten up before leaving, but can snap up their food along the way. Find out more about breeding swallows and their migration patterns. Swallows are summer visitors to the UK. They start to arrive here from Africa in April. By early June most swallows have started breeding and by July, the first brood of young has usually left the nest and flown away.", + "page_result": "
\n\t\t\n\t\tThe word on what we\u2019re up to across the RSPB, news from our nature reserves and handy wildlife guides.
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Much adored, especially thanks to the lovable Water Vole, Ratty, in Wind in the Willows, these furry, whiskered mammals ...
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\n Last updated: 11 May 2022
The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread and numerous swallow species in the world. These familiar birds travel incredible distances over land and water to spend the spring and summer months in the United States where they nest. By flying south for the winter, these insect-eating birds avoid going hungry when the days get shorter.
American barn swallows undertake an annual migration that takes them from places as far apart as Alaska and Argentina (and everywhere in between). They head south after breeding from April to June and spend the winter months in Central and South America. Barn swallows return when the austral (Southern Hemisphere) summer shifts into fall. Other sub-species follow the same north/south migration across Europe and Asia, traveling south into Subsaharan Africa, Southern Asia, and Australia.
Barn swallow migrations can cover many thousands of miles which is truly remarkable for an animal that weighs less than an ounce! The actual distances traveled vary depending on where the birds breed and overwinter, however.
The great majority of barn swallows will fly south for the winter and return to the north for the summer breeding season. Some populations do things a little differently, however, and there are resident populations in North Africa, and even a group that breeds in the Southern hemisphere in Argentina.
Read on to learn more about the annual migration of one of the world\u2019s favorite bird species.
During migration, Barn Swallows can cover thousands of miles
Barn swallows are long-distance migrants that have a vast worldwide distribution. These streamlined aerial hunters fly between the Northern and Southern hemispheres and back every year.
They do this to take advantage of summer insect swarms. Almost all barn swallows breed in the North and use the Southern hemisphere for overwintering.
Read on for more information about how, when, and why these birds undertake such impressive annual migrations.
Barn swallows migrate by flying quite low to the ground. Their flight is typically very straight and direct, although they are not particularly fast. They can fly at speeds of up to 35 mph, but more often between 16 mph and 22 mph. Barn swallows do most of their flying over land, but some populations will travel considerable distances over water.
Many barn swallows from the Eastern United States, for example, will fly over the West Indies to reach the northeast of South America. Across the Atlantic in Europe, barn swallows also fly over the Mediterranean Sea to reach North Africa but often choose routes with the shortest over-water flight.
A large migrating flock containing thousands of Barn Swallows
Barn swallows migrate twice each year, departing in the fall, and returning in the spring. The arrival and departure times vary depending on how far north and south each population nests and overwinters.
In Southern California, barn swallows can arrive as early as February, but up north in Alaska, the first birds will arrive much later in mid-May. Swallows also need to begin their fall migration much earlier in the north than in the south. Birds in the far north will begin migrating as early as June and July, whereas birds in the south can hang back as late as mid-October.
Barn swallows feed on flying insects that they hunt in the air. This food source is absent or very scarce in the cold winter months, which is why the swallows need to head south where it is warmer and food is still abundant.
Swallow with a hoverfly, caught out of the air
Different populations across America and throughout the world migrate different distances. Barn swallows that breed in Eastern Canada, for example, migrate tremendous distances, overwintering as far south as Argentina. Barn swallows from Europe also migrate amazing distances of as much as 6,000 miles to reach their overwintering grounds.
Barn swallows have been recorded flying anything from 2 to 196km (1-122mi) in a day, with one individual flying an average of 89km (55mi) each day. Read on to learn more about where barn swallows go on their migration, and how long their journey takes to complete.
American barn swallows from the west and east follow different migration routes. Swallows that breed on the west coast of the United States do not fly as far south into South America as those that breed in Canada in the northeast.
Most American barn swallows prefer to fly overland, heading south through Mexico and over the Panama canal, but some brave individuals do fly over the ocean and the Caribbean islands.
Barn swallows will also make use of favorable winds to minimize effort, but since these winds don\u2019t necessarily help them in both directions, the swallows are not always able to follow the same route north and south.
A pair of Barn Swallows perched on a wire
Across the United States, American barn swallows begin to disappear from as early as June and have usually all left by October. The birds are on their way to Central and South America for the winter. South of the equator, the spring begins in September, so these smart birds never have to experience the short cold days of winter.
Barn swallows inhabit a variety of habitats during both the breeding and non-breeding season. Open habitats, especially near freshwater are preferred although only forested and mountainous terrain is really avoided.
The actual time it takes to migrate varies depending on just how far the birds have to travel. Some barn swallows can complete their migration in just a few weeks while others migrate for much longer. Amazingly, some barn swallow populations are known to migrate almost all the time, stopping only for a month or two around June and December.
Barn Swallow perched on a reed
Barn swallows do not fly the whole journey without resting along the way. Even though these birds are able to catch and eat their prey \u2018on the wing\u2019, they will still stop to sleep each night if possible. In suitable areas, huge flocks come together to roost in reed beds and fields just after sunset.
Barn swallows migrate and roost in flocks. The roosting flocks in staging areas can be particularly impressive, with some areas supporting over a million birds in a single reed bed! The long-term stability of large flocks is not clear but breeding pairs have been recorded migrating together from their breeding site to the overwintering grounds and back.
A group of migratory Barn Swallows preparing for communal roosting in reed bed
There are several barn swallow subspecies accepted worldwide, and almost all are migratory. One Egyptian subspecies is known to be resident, however. The American subspecies, H. r. erythrogaster (American barn swallow) is highly migratory.
Barn swallows head south for the Northern Hemisphere (boreal) winter. By flying south of the equator, these birds are able to enjoy the austral summer while winter sets in up north in the breeding grounds.
American barn swallows migrate to Central and South America, as far as Argentina. Barn swallows that breed in Europe and Asia also migrate south to overwinter in Africa, Southern Asia, and Northern Australia.
Close up front view of a perched Barn Swallow
Summer is the breeding season for barn swallows. At this time, you can find them all over North America as far up as Alaska and from sea level to 3,000ft. These birds are a familiar sight as they wheel through the skies and skim over the surface of lakes and rivers to catch small flying insects.
Barn swallows build their nests under roofs, bridges, tunnels, and other manmade structures. Look out for breeding colonies near good nesting sites.
Barn swallows migrate during the daylight hours. Of course, birds that fly over water will not be able to stop until they reach land and may need to fly overnight.
Young barn swallows usually don't return to their natal sites. Adults are more likely to return to the same nest site, but this varies widely with as much as 80% of adults returning in some areas and less than 20% in others.
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\n \n\n \n\n \nMigration \n and Annual Cycle
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By Charlotte Owen
\r\nWildCall Officer
For many of our seasonal visitors, the change in the weather that comes in September/October means it\u2019s time for them to go.
Groups of swallows gather along the coast from September to swoop across the sand at low tide, scything through clouds of early morning midges for a protein-packed breakfast. They would already have been moving steadily southwards and then make a final pit-stop on the shore before heading out to sea to begin a six-week flight to South Africa. Most migratory birds will fatten up significantly before embarking on a long-distance flight, but swallows don\u2019t need to, since they will catch plenty of mosquitoes, gnats and other in-flight snacks on the wing. Still, it makes sense to fuel up while they can as they wait restlessly at the shoreline for the optimal weather conditions that will signal their departure. Swallows travel by mainly by daylight and if dawn breaks with clear skies and a tailwind they will set off shortly after sunrise to cover up to 200 miles in a single day. They stop to rest overnight, often in huge flocks that will roost in reedbeds and other sheltered spots along the way.
\r\nThe exact migration route varies depending on their departure location but \u2018our\u2019 swallows cross the Channel to fly south through western France and eastern Spain before making another sea crossing to reach Morocco. Then they must fly over the endless dunes of the Sahara, the largest hot desert in the world. This hazardous stretch will be completed in one go, since there aren\u2019t any handy stopovers, and it\u2019s the only leg of the journey undertaken after dark, during the relative cool of the desert night. By November, swallows will be flying through the tropical humidity of the vast Congo rainforest before finally reaching the winter warmth of South Africa and Namibia by December. The entire flight is some 6,000 miles in total, which is an incredible feat for a bird small enough to fit into your pocket.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSwallows are a diverse group of birds in the family Hirundinidae, characterized in part by their typical way of drinking water and hunting in flight, as well as their ability to feed chicks while hovering in the air. These flying vertebrates are common in almost all regions of the world, and most species develop extraordinary migratory habits.
In this AnimaWised article, we explain everything you need to know about the migratory habits of these animals, including why, how, and where swallows migrate to.
\nSwallows are insectivores, and their diet consists mainly of flying insects. Since flying insects are often found over bodies of water and lakes, they often feed over them. However, swallows are also found in any open habitat, including grasslands, open forests, savannas, swamps, mangroves, and scrublands, from sea level to high alpine areas. Because swallows feed exclusively on flying insects, they do not need to fatten up before taking off and can eat their food en route. Nevertheless, many of them starve to death during migration. If they survive, they can live up to sixteen years.
In ancient times, swallows were believed to hibernate or even retreat underwater for the winter. This idea may have been supported by the habit of some species of settling into pigeon houses, nests, and other shelters in harsh weather.
Swallows migrate at night, although they are diurnal animals. They rest during the day, taking small naps and roosting in large numbers at traditional stopover sites. Swallows tend to fly low, covering about 200 miles (320 km) per day. They can fly up to 6000 miles (about 9,656 km) on each migration.
If you want to learn more about swallows and some of their migratory habits, check out this other article on where do swallow birds roost?
\nAs we have already mentioned, the diet of swallows consists largely of insects, although they may also eat some seeds or fruits in small quantities. During the winter months, temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere drop, trees lose their leaves, and many insects hide and hibernate. If the swallows were to stay during this season, they could starve. For this reason, they are forced to move south, where temperatures are more reasonable and food is always available.
If there are more food resources in warmer climates, you may wonder why the swallows bother to fly back north. According to recent studies, the number of predators plays a role. Tropical areas have a greater diversity of species and therefore a greater number of predators.
By nesting in the north, swallow families are less threatened by predators, which means they can raise more chicks per pair. For this reason, swallows are considered the most devoted parents in the bird world, traveling long distances to find safe nesting sites.
\nThe migration date of swallows in most countries is determined by the onset of winter, and the date may vary by region.
In the Northern Hemisphere, migration to the south usually occurs in September and October.
In early September, most swallows prepare for their migration. It is not uncommon to see them fluttering restlessly and often congregating in large numbers. Most swallows leave during September, with young birds being the first to go. A few stragglers, however, may remain into October.
Even though most species of swallows migrate, some species of this family already live in the tropics and subtropics and are therefore non-migratory birds. These are some examples:
There are some species of swallows native to the tropics that also migrate. Even though there are no drastic temperature changes throughout the year in the tropics, there are always periods of rain and drought that affect the food supply and force some tropical swallow species to migrate.
If you want to learn more about swallows and other migratory birds, check out this other article on Swallows, swifts, and Martins.
\nThe migratory routes of swallows vary greatly depending on the species and the region from which they originate. Since swallows are so widespread, to understand their migration routes we need to take a closer look at some of the best known species in this family:
The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread swallow species in the world, covering 251 million square kilometers. It has the largest natural range of any passerine bird in the world and is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. In winter, the barn swallow is cosmopolitan in its choice of habitat, avoiding only dense forests and deserts. Most barn swallows migrate from the northern to the southern hemisphere (South Asia, Africa, Central and South America). It tends to move into open habitats with low vegetation such as savannas and ranchlands, being particularly attracted to burned or harvested sugarcane fields and the waste from sugarcane.
The sand martin (Riparia riparia), also called European bank swallow, bank swallow in America, and collared swallow in India, is a migratory passerine bird in the swallow family. It has a large range in summer, encompassing virtually all of Europe and the Mediterranean countries, and extending across the Palearctic to the Pacific. It is a Holarctic species that also occurs in North America. In winter, it migrates to eastern and southern Africa, South America and the Indian subcontinent.
The tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) breeds in North America. Its range extends into north-central Alaska and to the tree line in Canada. In the eastern part of its range it occurs as far north as Tennessee, in the west as far north as California and New Mexico, and in the center as far north as Kansas. Occasionally it breeds farther south in the U.S. The wintering range extends from California and southwestern Arizona in the west and southeastern Virginia in the east southward along the Gulf Coast to the West Indies, Panama, and the northwestern coast of South America.
As you can see, swallow migration routes vary greatly depending on both the species and the habitat into which they migrate.
As you can see, there are many different types of swallows. Continue reading this other article to learn more about the different types of swallows.
\nIf you want to read similar articles to Swallow Bird Migration - How, Why, and Where Do Swallows Migrate?, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.
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