Birding with Nate: May Bird of the Month

May Bird of the Month: Tree Swallow

Hello ScienceWorks Friends! For May I have chosen a beautiful spring migrant, the Tree Swallow. These elegant birds slice through the air on long, slender wings while chasing down flying insects.
Tree Swallows are common and widespread birds that migrate to Southern Oregon in the early Spring from their wintering grounds farther south. They are usually seen coursing overhead in elegant looping motions as they chase after their insect prey or perching on prominent posts or dead trees.
Tree Swallows are a shimmering aqua-blue color on their heads and back and snowy white underneath. Their incredible iridescent feathers have special crystal structures that refract light to create a metallic shine that changes depending on the angle of light.
Tree Swallows are easy to find at ScienceWorks! They come to Oregon to breed and make their nests in old woodpecker holes or bird houses in open spaces near water or green fields. They often fly over the parking lot and perch on the fence along the SOU Farm to rest, socialize, and preen (clean and groom their feathers).
These birds are definitely trying to breed on the ScienceWorks/SOU Farm Campus! After this “special hug” the mother bird will create a nest which she and the male will line with feathers to make it nice and cozy. She will lay 4-7 eggs which both parents will work tirelessly to feed once they hatch.
See if you can spot these beautiful creatures next time you come to ScienceWorks! I think they are using the bird houses along the SOU Farm fence for their nests. In a few weeks we may see them feeding their fledglings (baby birds who have left the nest but still rely on the parents for food). Next month we’ll highlight another colorful spring migrant! Happy birding!

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