Tree Swallow

Here's a Tree Swallow with something on his mind. I suspect that his thoughts were "Twit-weet!", though I don't recall his exact words.

These are neat-looking little birds, especially the guys with feathers that (in the right light) are a shiny blue. (The females technically have some blue too, though at a distance it can be hard to see.)

They and the other swallows are terrific fliers, and can be seen acrobatically soaring, diving, and turning. They were built to catch insects in flight, so this maneuverability is vital to them.

They are also fairly territorial, and will mock-attack people that get (what they consider) too close to their nest. This can be inconvenient when "their territory" overlaps with a hiking trail; I have had my hat grazed as these birds escorted me away.

April 28, 2021 at the Plainsboro Preserve
Photo 128319001, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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