The Barn Swallow and Tree Swallow are gems of the sky.
American bird watchers have the pleasure of identifying several kinds of swallows,
including the Barn Swallow, the Cliff Swallow, the Violet Green Swallow, the Bank
Swallow, and others. At American Bird Guide, the Tree Swallow described above is
our hands down favorite. Its unique iridescent blue coloring contrasts so strikingly
with its white belly. The diamond-like structure of the swallow's body and forked
tail make it an easy bird to identify.
Because swallows nest in holes, competition for housing can be a problem. In nature,
woodpecker holes are favored, but by providing swallow breeding boxes, you can help
to increase the number of swallows in your region. Swallows lay four to six white
eggs in a feather-lined nest.
Get to Know Your Swallows
Tree Swallow | Iridoporcne bicolor | 5" - 6"
Tree Swallows, striking, bi-color blue and white birds, are apparently year-round
residents in the Bay Area, but I want to share that I rarely see them until the
spring begins to warm up. Read Article »
Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica | 6 ¾"
The blue, red and orange of the Barn Swallow rivals the hummingbird for sheer
iridescence. They seem to flash and twinkle as they swoop through the sky like
miniature kites. Read Article »
- Read the Latest News from the Birding Sonoma County Blog -
Tomales Bay State Park Closure - One Upset Birder January 22, 2008, Point Reyes, CA
Governor Schwarzenegger is planning to close our beautiful, sacred Tomales Bay State Park
in Marin County along with 42 other desperately-needed and exuberantly cherished state
parks throughout California. Closing all of these wonderful parks would not even take us
1% in the direction of being back in the black. And think of what will have been lost. Read Article »
Bay Area Oil Spill A Disaster For Birds November 11, 2007, Kenwood, CA
When the Cosco Busan crashed into the Bay Bridge, every birder I know immediately thought
of what this disaster would mean for the birds. In addition to our beloved birds, whales
will be swimming through the oil, as will seals, sea lions and other marine mammals. West
Marin is one of my favorite places on earth, and to see it thus spoiled fills me with
sorrow and anger. Read Article »
Bewick's Wren - A hidden Bay Area bird worth seeking! October 7, 2007, Glen Ellen, CA
Today, we'll turn our gaze on Bewick's Wren, Thryomanes bewickii, one of the larger
SF Bay Area Wrens. Bewick's Wren, like most wrens, will instantly strike you as being
'all-tail'. Identification clue number one for wrens is that they tend to hold their tails
up-turned, as if in proud of their lovely plumes. Read Article »
The White-crowned Sparrow has returned! September 24, 2007, Kenwood, CA
This trusty little bird disappeared when the weather heated up, early in the year, heading
north to cooler Canada. Just this afternoon, my husband called me to the window excitedly.
There, at the foot of the photinia hedge, a lone White-crowned Sparrow was hopping humbly
through the green grass. Read Article »
