The Barn Swallows are back at the intersections.

[SteveSS]

We don't really have bugs up here but every year we get Miller Moths in spring. The swallows have figured out the moths escape from the under hood of cars stopped at red lights. The swallows dive bomb the stopped cars, never resting. I mention this every year. I'd try to film them but they are way too fast.

 

[SteveSS]

This is from Denver so I'm another half mile above them.


Starlings and swallows. They come for the miller moths but seem to be sticking around for the other bugs that this year's increased moisture have allowed to thrive.
I'm not an ornithologist or entomologist but I imagine intersections and idling cars create a type of thermal air current that makes bugs more prevalent and easier to catch somehow for the birds. Maybe the alternating cross-traffic causes an air barrier to bugs that would have been traveling along with traffic that slow them down for the birds to be able to catch them more easily.
I do love seeing them dart around though, it's very cool!

• ---

  What’s are the birds doing? Starlings on a buffalo.
  https://www.reddit.com/r/biology
  
  
• https://www.reddit.com/r/Denver/comments/1k4fbk9/bison_covered_in_starlings_rocky_mountain_arsenal/
  
  

 

[kiwigtx]

 

[440 PHIXX]

I don’t see them as much around here. They used to dive bomb me on the lawn tractor.

 

[SteveSS]

I'm sure you were stirring up all kinds of bugs. Yesterday a Flicker was hammering away at the joint between the sidewalk and the drive. I still throw dog food on the back deck for the Grackles, Steller Jays, Magpies, and Crows.

I get some species of wood pecker hammering on the metal flu on top of the chimney. I've been told this makes them more attractive to their females.

 

[hemi71x]

These are the moth eaters at your intersections in your part of the world?

 

[SteveSS]

Magpies are smarter than you think. They say they're as smart as a seven year old human. It's fun to watch they're antics here in Colorado. They don't attack like Austrailia.

 

[SteveSS]

I think so. Honestly they are so fast and never land so it's hard to tell. They're great at aerobatics.

 

[Dave6T4]

Barn swallows have orange breast; tree swallows have white breast. Quite the aerobats, and fun to watch.

 

[Hey-O]

I can look out of my screened in porch and see small swarms of bugs flying around by the pond. The Swallows fly back and forth through them and each time they are a few less. They're flying, eating machines.

 

[toolmanmike]

These are the moth eaters at your intersections in your part of the world?

View attachment 1857200

They look like this in flight.

 

[dfrazz]

These birds will build mud nests attached to your house and return even after you knock the nest down. Allegedly, if you take out one of the mates the other will leave and not return.

 

[Dave6T4]

We had barn swallows build a mud best over one of my garage doors last year. They were interesting to watch, and they tolerated us being in the same area. They eat a lot of bugs, and I hope they return this year. My wife and I enjoy watching our backyard feathered friends. This year, it looks like we have attracted a nesting pair of Rose Breasted Grosbeaks.

 

[Detective D]

Swallows are fantastic birds to have around.
They can build their mud nest in the blink of an eye. If you see them starting one, it is nice to have them around but make sure they are not building it somewhere you do not want them to crap all over.
They and the little ones that hatch will pile up bird crap right under the nest until they all get old enough to leave for the year.
If you don't mind where they are building, they are great for flying pest control. They will not view you as a threat if they are allowed to observe you, and you leave them to their business. You might get swooped at if you get to close to a nest, but even that diminishes greatly if you are in the area often enough. They are observant.

Also, if you are ever fortunate enough to have a big group of them around. try to catch them sitting on a power wire or branch or something and listen. No one will ever convince me they don't have some kind of language, even if it is very basic. The noises they make are not just bird calls as they all sit there. They behave differently when there is a large group vs just 2-4 of them. Like eagles, the "community" of these birds will have their behavior change.

They are clever birds and fun to watch and listen to. I wish they came around here like they used to. Not sure what the deal is in WI but it has been years since I saw a large group around here.

 

[SteveSS]

Okay I tried looking harder at the swallows. They do have scissor tails. Maybe the white breast, but they're flying awfully fast even darting at each other. In my backyard a male Robin was harassing a Magpie.