Tree Swallow Peeking Out

This Tree Swallow was looking out the "doorway" of its "domicile" [1]. Tree Swallows are 1 of the most likely birds to be peeking out of their nesting boxes, as seen here and here. I have 3 (not mutually exclusive) explanations for this:

  1. Tree Swallows are fairly abundant birds.
  2. These nesting boxes are numerous in many places, and are often within viewing distance of trails.
  3. Tree Swallows are 1 of the more aggressive birds in defending their territories, and they're probably looking out to see if someone is outside that they need to dive-bomb [2].
May 9, 2023 at Duke Farms
Photo 282306495, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

[1] FWIW most of the time these domiciles were intended for our less common Eastern Bluebirds.

[2] If you like tiny birds flying at your head and veering off at the last second, 1) intruding around their nests is for you, and 2) there's something wrong with you.

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