Friday, July 24, 2015

Barn Swallow

Proudly posing for pictures, the Barn Swallow is at home around people. The "Barn" in their name probably was given to them when they began nesting in barns. An estimated 98% of Barn Swallows now live in or around human habitation. Why they came to choose man-made structures over caves and cliffs to raise their young is not fully understood. Barns and building are relatively new to a bird that evolved well before modern structures.

This male Barn Swallow is on the Horicon Marsh Auto Trail near Waupun, Wisconsin. It's a driving tour of the north end of this 32,000 acre marsh. The trail provides close-up access to birds that would quickly fly away if they knew there was a human in each car.

Washed in rusty colors below and deep blues above, the Barn Swallow is common in North and South America in alternating seasons. Males and females look similar, although the male's colors stand out more.

He glides over the water, heading for his private patch of territory on the marsh's viewing platform.

Food is gathered on the wing. Skimming along the surface of the water she grabs insects that flutter in fear. Those insects account for nearly all of the Barn Swallow's dietary needs.

Barn Swallows won't visit your bird feeder, but they could be encouraged to nest nearby if you have a source of water for insects, mud for their nest, and a suitable structure to build upon. They build a mud nest which could look a bit untidy depending on location.

Raising  young is a demanding and
all-consuming task. As a member of a colony of birds protection of the young becomes a shared duty.

Many eyes watch for danger. Gulls, grackles and hawks prey on Barn Swallow young.
A coordinated response by the Barn Swallows often repel threats as they mob their attackers.

Additionally, non-breeding juveniles may help parents in rearing the young by providing food and protection for the next generation of hatchlings.

This communal approach to raising young insures a higher degree of success and undoubtedly contributed to the classification of the Barn Swallow being listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN*

(click any picture to enlarge)


Credit: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds and *IUCN-International Union for the Conservation of Nature

Friday, July 10, 2015

Sandhill Crane Colt

All the photographs in this story were taken by my good friend Fred Thorne. He found two adult Sandhill Cranes on the edge of a marsh...their preferred habitat.  Fred returned several times afterward to record their progress in raising their new colt (young Sandhill Cranes are called colts). He told me their location and I checked them out, too, but my pictures weren't nearly as good as his, so that's why I'm using these with his permission.

It's early July and this young Sandhill Crane is making his debut into the sunlight.  Still protected by watchful parents, he is getting his first taste of a greater world.  Food is of utmost importance.
What to eat and where to find it is the lesson today.

This may be good...try it!

The colt investigates.
A parent points out a seed or maybe a snail. Sandhill Cranes eat from a big table of larva, lizards, insects, grains, berries and tubers. Introducing the colt to what is edible and what is not will continue for the next 8-9 months. There is a lot to learn if s/he is to reach adulthood. Their favorite foods exist mainly in marshes. Sandhill Cranes need these areas to breed and raise their young.

Sandhill Cranes typically lay two eggs, but it's uncommon for more than one to survive to adulthood. Colts are capable of walking within eight hours of hatching, unlike nesting birds which require a period of time in the nest to grow and fledge. The adults keep their colt hidden in six-foot tall grass for protection. Raccoons, foxes and coyotes are an ever present danger, so it's risky to venture far from deep cover.

Adult Sandhill Cranes are not defenseless when it comes to protecting their flightless young. With a six and a half foot wingspan, a sharp bill and the ability to deliver a kick with powerful legs, land predators are given good reasons to be cautious when taking on cranes.

Ariel predators, such as eagles, are met with an ariel jump and a swift kick.

Growing up quickly on the good diet provided by mindful parents, this colt presents a muscleman pose to impress them.

Sandhill Crane populations are stable, despite only one chick surviving per year. Sandhill Cranes mate for life and the oldest on record lived 36 years and 7 months.

New feathers are replacing the downy warm fuzz he has worn since hatching.

The family will migrate again this fall, along well traveled routes to New Mexico and Texas. You may be fortunate enough to see a Sandhill Crane while it's still small...even get a good picture if you're very lucky.

I wasn't so lucky...Fred was!

Or maybe it's Fred's perseverance and skill that provides the magic in his photographs.


Credit: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds
Credit: All photographs, Fred Thorne