Review of the Natural Nesting of the Barn Swallow in North America

Speich, Steven M.; Jones, Hannah; Benedict, Ellen M.

doi:10.2307/2425861

Cited by 11 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…Similarly, the number of nests with eggs that disappeared or were found on the ground was higher in large clusters (Table 11). DISCUSSION The spatial and social structure of Bam Swallow colonies and clusters at Cranberry Lake were similar to those observed in populations nesting in caves or on cliffs (e.g., Murray 1962, Speich et al 1985, as well as to those found on human artifacts elsewhere in North America (e.g., Bent 1942, Snapp 1976 or in Europe (e.g., M0ller 1985). In contrast, the number of nests with unhatched eggs, or eggs or nestlings lost due to infanticide and abandonment, occurred at expected frequencies given the number of nests begun in the different-size breeding groups (Table 11).…”

Section: Week During Which Incubation Was Begunsupporting

confidence: 67%

“…The swallow social environment, however, seems to have changed little. Caves contain l-30 pairs in spatial arrangements similar to those found on buildings and bridges (e.g., Murray 1962, Speich et al 1985. Caves contain l-30 pairs in spatial arrangements similar to those found on buildings and bridges (e.g., Murray 1962, Speich et al 1985.…”

Section: Study Animalmentioning

confidence: 71%

“…Barn Swallows nest alone or in small colonies (l-4 pairs), and only occasionally in larger colonies (10-100 pairs: Bent 1942, Snapp 1976. Caves contain l-30 pairs in spatial arrangements similar to those found on buildings and bridges (e.g., Murray 1962, Speich et al 1985. Thus, the number of nesting sites has increased, but the density, size, and spatial structure of colonies is similar to the ancestral state.…”

Section: Study Animalmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Historically, Barn Swallows built their open mud nests on cliffs and especially in caves, and still do so in a few areas (Speich et al 1985). Today, they more often build nests on or in human artifacts such as buildings or under bridges or culverts (e.g., Bent 1942, Snapp 1976.…”

Section: Study Animalmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Today, they more often build nests on or in human artifacts such as buildings or under bridges or culverts (e.g., Bent 1942, Snapp 1976. Use ofthese sites has undoubtedly allowed the total number of swallows to increase in North America (e.g., Speich et al 1985). The swallow social environment, however, seems to have changed little.…”

Section: Study Animalmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Barn Swallow Coloniality: A Net Cost for Group Breeding in the Adirondacks?

Shields¹,

Crook²

1987

Ecology

128

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To explore the costs and benefits of groups living in a facultatively social bird, we studied the reproductive ecology of a marked population of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) at the Cranberry Lake Biological Station in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State.Throughout its range, the Barn Swallow breeds solitarily or in small groups. From 1979 through 1985 we gathered reproductive and mortality data in colonies varying in size and density. Birds living in larger colonies tended to be younger and to breed later, on average, than solitary breeders. Breeding success was less for birds in large colonies than for birds breeding solitarily or in small groups. Larger colonies did not provide obvious benefits that offset the reduced reproductive success.Nests in larger colonies were infested more by a bloodsucking blow fly larva (Pratocalliphora hirundo) than were nests in smaller colonies. The fraction of nests infested and the mean number of parasites per nestling also increased as the breeding season progressed. Since parasitism appeared to be the major source of nestling mortality, the increased parasite loads were probably the major cost of living in larger groups in our area. Birds in large colonies suffered a net reproductive loss relative to those breeding alone or in smaller groups.Thus, our data are consistent with Snapp's (1976) conclusion that shortages of nesting habitat rather than direct benefits of group living are responsible for swallow coloniality.

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Section: Week During Which Incubation Was Begunsupporting

confidence: 67%