Tree Swallow

These acrobatic birds have a deep-blue iridescent back and a white breast. They are streamlined and small in size with long, pointed wings and a short, slightly notched tail.

comments (4)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Now that's a closeup! Posted 7 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  I was amazed that it let me get so close! I just kept slowly walking a little closer and closer until I was only feet away. This box is in an area where a lot of people walk, so maybe the birds are used to seeing people so close.
  
  Last summer, I was dive-bombed by tree swallows just because I was walking through a meadow where they must have lived. I was desperately trying to take a picture of a really cool wildflower, when 2 swallows started chattering at me and repeatedly flying at my head. They were so close that their wings brushed against my face. Unfortunately, I had a wimpy moment and abandoned the wildflower because I was so freaked out and had an irrational, momentary fear that they were going to peck my eyes out. I ended up ungracefully running out of the meadow at full tilt (with the birds chasing me). Anyway, they were definitely aggressive and territorial in that instance. Not curious and nonchalant like the one in this photo! Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Oh how I would love to see a video of that lol.
    They can be scary indeed. One of my friends has horses and the swallows nest in the stable. When you stand in the doorway, they are like little rockets passing passed your face. Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Haha, yes definitely like rockets! It was not my finest moment, terrified and running away from tiny birds with a stream of expletives coming out of my mouth! I had no idea they were so territorial, lol. Posted 7 years ago

The Tree Swallow

The Tree Swallow is a migratory passerine bird that breeds in North America and winters in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. It is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.

Info 24 0

Similar species: Perching Birds

Species identified by Christine Young