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| Cliff Swallow |
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| Cliff Swallow |
These
are the swallows that allegedly return to Capistrano Mission each spring (which hasn’t happened in
several years since the area became “urbanized”). Cliff
Swallows are highly social birds, building conical mud nests and living in
large colonies of 1000 or more, often sharing parenting duties.
Cliff
Swallows are found abundantly in north Texas. The mud for their nests comes
from stream banks, private lakes, swamps, broken water pipes – any place that dependably
creates mud. It doesn’t have to be in your yard. It could be up to half a
mile away.
Their
flying abilities are amazing! They
“hawk” insects in mid-air, flying at great speed, turning quickly and
smoothly, all the while filling the evening sky with their pleasant chirps.
If
you live in a semi-rural or rural part of north Texas, with a source of mud
somewhere in the vicinity, you could probably attract a colony – if they’re not
there already.
OWEN
YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect
emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a
Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA),
International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation
and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.
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| Cliff Swallow |
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