A sneak peek at my resident barn swallows

I’ve been casually observing a barn swallow couple that chose to build a nest under the eave of my front porch.  As their name suggests, barn swallows are frequently found living in barns and other outer buildings, but obviously, this pair of birds preferred my home instead.  The nest is actually quite an amazing and sturdy cup-like structure, meticulously constructed from mud pellets and grass, carried bit by bit in their bills.  Once it was complete, the activity quieted down for a couple of weeks while the parents incubated their eggs. Then, the other morning, just before leaving on my trip, I was delighted to hear the hungry chirping of newborn chicks!

Barn swallows have slate blue feathers on their heads and wings and rust-colored chests.  Their tails are deeply forked and it’s said that the females are attracted to males having the longest tail streamers. They’re also insectivores, meaning they only feed on insects.  Perhaps my resident barn swallows will help to control that pesky mosquito and housefly population this summer.      

Five adorable little hatchlings waiting for their parents to return.

A couple of the chicks are getting very impatient.

Two more chicks join in.

Now we have a full chorus of hungry babies!

Mom and Dad are working very hard to keep their little family fed and happy.

Comments

[Nikki]

Wow Martha , Aren't These the cutest Little things ? How do you manage To take such Prescious Photos? I enjoy Your blog very much and What A nice addition to your little farm family. Hope to see your next Blog. Bye !!!!

[Leticia Dominguez]

Dear Martha..
Everyday I come to work the first thing I do is check your page! Every day I try to anticipate what will your blog display.... it makes a wonderful way to start my day... but today it was awsome!! I loved it! The pics are super and the babies more!! I live in Gdl. and we can never see nature so close! So.... once again.. you made my day!!!! Thanks for sharing!

[Jodi]

Martha, I love the photos. We set up a blue bird box in our yard and we have baby bluebirds, only 3 days old. I love watching the parents and checking on babies. I hope to get some great pictures but it is tough when they are in a birdhouse!

[Erica]

Ha! Ha! So cute.

[Vivian Price]

I love seeing baby birds in their
nest....thanks for the pictures.

[Trish]

These are prize winning photos and I'm going to 'borrow' one or two for my desk top. Amazing! I can't believe you got them in sequence opening up their mouths to be fed. The one with them peering out over the top of the nest is too precious. I can't say it enough; you take the greatest pictures, Martha! Trish

[Skeeto]

Yesterday you showed us pictures of the magnanimous intriguing European capital in Poland.

Today on the other hand, the pictures of the baby birds waiting for their mom are at the opposite end of the spectrum...nature at its very best.

I really agree with Leticia, the lady who posted right before me! Every morning I eagerly anticipate what has captured your attention. Definitely ... a picture IS worth a thousand words! To see the world through your eyes open mine even more!

Thanks!

[Ladymissgailo]

I LOVE THOSE!
I used to see them when I would walk around the buildings where I worked. I would spy on them everyday, (the mom hated it)I love birds!

[billie bjornert]

Hi Martha, Well, if you believe in superstitions.....a new baby is about to arrive...after the swallows make a nest,in your home. Congratulations. Billie

[Angie D from Ohio]

Gosh... I've never seen a nest like that. Some amazing shots.

[kelly]

awesome pics...
of course, you'd be great at photography, too!!!
keep the photos coming please
ty

[Linda]

How cute!!! They are adorable. I love the pictures as each one begins to tell its parents to hurry up and come back, especially with food. How wonderful they chose your porch to nest. Who's to say they won't come back year after year?? Wouldn't that be lovely. Thank you for these beautiful picture.

Linda
Phila., PA

[Paula]

I am in South Texas. Each year we have swallows also. They are so fun to watch and come back each year. I heard if you paint your porch ceiling blue like the sky they will not build. I wonder if that is true. They are also prominent under all the hiway overpasses by the hundreds. Thanks for the pictures.

[Bonnie Conley]

Martha,
Have you tried the shelves that barn swallows like to build their nests on? Mount them under the eaves of your barn or another outbuilding and they may move nesting sites next year. Mine did.

[Melissa]

Great photos! I too have a Swallow's nest at the entrance to my home. They built it on a complete verticle - no ledge. It's quite amazing and made of mud, grass, & horse mane & tail hair.

They are making my indoor cats crazy!

[happyathome]

They look like a chorus of birds hanging over the balcony! What great pictures, thank you for sharing!

[Marcy]

Wonderful pictures! I also love watching the birds and especially when they have there babies. Thank you for sharing. You should send these photos to Birds & Bloom.

[Paula M. :)]

Martha,
Aren't those the sweetest babies!! They always look like they are smiling at you! Fantastic photos!
We have barn swallows in Northern CT too. We get all kinds of nests and sometimes I feel like the 2-legged Mom watching out for them too so no neighborhood cats get at them!
Thanks again for a great Blog!
Paula

[Susanne Webb]

These are so neat! I am wondering if this is the same species of bird that has built a nest at my home. The nest has been built at the upper left front corner of the shutter located around a window on the front of my home. Every time I try to get a close peak, the mother flys away before I have a chance to see what she is. Are there very many that build in places like this?

[MishSpar]

This is my first time reading your blog. I was not disapointed! I'm going to explore a little more!

[Lisa Wiley]

Oh that is just TOO sweet! I love the pic with all the birds chirping. It looks like a little swallow-choir! HEY, just think: after they fledge and vacate their home you can make birds'-nest-soup!

[Sherry]

I love the pictures! The babies are so cute. I wish I could frame the one of the "chorus" & hang it up. Ever thought about doing a photography book? Your pictures are all great!

[chronic chick]

I can relate to this. Last spring, I had some mama bird lay her nest in my flower pot on my porch. Mama bird was very protective of her nest, dive bombing us when ever we went outside. THis year I swear it was the same bird squakking when the flower pot was not in the same place, lots of laughs.

[Clint]

Seeing this makes me remember art imitates nature...truly amazing thanks for the happy pics :)

[Amy]

What amazing pictures!! I have house wren babies in a birdhouse in my yard, but I can't see them through the little hole in the house. The mama bird sits in the entryway blocking the view of the babies. Thanks for posting the photos, I'm so enjoying your blog!