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House sparrows horn in on swallow nests

Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune - Jul 12 12:14 PM
Q In early July, I noticed that house sparrows had moved into the nests of the cliff swallows on the west side of our building at work. Swallows occupied most of the nests through June, but after July 4, sparrows resided in most of them. Did the sparrows evict the swallows, or did the swallows have time to fledge their young, then abandon the nests?
By The Minnesota Ornithologists Union
Last update: July 12, 2006 – 1:38 PM
Q In early July, I noticed that house sparrows had moved into the nests of the cliff swallows on the west side of our building at work. Swallows occupied most of the nests through June, but after July 4, sparrows resided in most of them. Did the sparrows evict the swallows, or did the swallows have time to fledge their young, then abandon the nests?

A Because of the timing, it is difficult to say whether the nests were abandoned before the house sparrows moved in or the sparrows took over the nests.

Cliff swallows are a protected native species that begin breeding in May and breed into July. They have one or two broods.

House sparrows will use the nests of both cliff swallows and barn swallows. Sometimes house sparrows fight for the nests and kill the young cliff or barn swallows. Sometimes they move in after the young have fledged.

However, recent research suggests that house sparrows do significant damage to barn swallow nesting colonies. In Maryland, sparrows reduced the fledging success rate of one barn swallow colony by 45 percent.

Why birds form a mob

Q I’ve seen groups of crows or blackbirds dive-bomb a hawk. Why do they do that?

A The behavior, called mobbing, is very common among crows.

Crows mob hawks and owls because they perceive these birds to be a threat. And it’s true that hawks have been known to kill crows — sometimes even when being mobbed — by flipping over to strike out at an attacking crow with their powerful feet and talons. That’s why crows are careful to stay above and behind a hawk when mobbing.

Other birds that frequently chase or mob hawks are Eastern kingbirds, blue jays and red-winged blackbirds. Like crows, jays usually mob a hawk or owl with many loud attackers, while single kingbirds and blackbirds typically give chase one bird at a time. Even some small birds, such as chickadees and nuthatches, will mob owls to protect themselves and their young.

This column is prepared by Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union (MOU) members Mark Alt and Anthony Hertzel. To ask questions for this column, call 612-673-4363 and leave a brief message. Or e-mail birds@stribmail.com. Questions will be answered in the newspaper only. For information about the MOU write to: Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union, Bell Museum, 10 SE. Church St., Minneapolis, MN 55455.

Add comment July 25th, 2006

Protected birds nest in Biltmore’s break room

Tom Meyer
Bonanza staff writer
July 23, 2006
North Lake Tahoe Bonanza - Jul 23 3:03 AM

For the staff at the Biltmore Tahoe Lodge and Casino, the outdoor break area is a place to take a deep breath, enjoy a smoke, make a phone call, or grab a quick meal before heading back to the floor. For a pair of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) and their four hungry chicks, however, the Biltmore’s break room serves as a studio suite.

“They just started hanging out in here when it got cold last month,” said Tom Krueger, a blackjack dealer at the casino.

Shortly after discovering the area, the swallows, nicknamed “Empha” and “Zima”, started building a nest.

But as the waste piled up someone removed the nest.

Shortly after the pair of birds began rebuilding (as swallows are apt to do), casino officials learned about the swallows’ federally protected status and decided to leave the birds alone.

Now, a converted cardboard box serves as a waste catch, and a sign informs staff that it is illegal to destroy the nest or disturb the family.

Swallows are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which makes it a crime to “pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, possess, sell, purchase (or) ship …any migratory bird, included in the terms of this convention”.

According to materials provided by Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, free permits to remove swallow nests can be obtained from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. These permits are difficult to come by officials said, and removal of a swallow nest without a permit is a misdemeanor and can result in both fines and jail time.

This isn’t a swallow family’s first time in regional news -recently, a family of swallows delayed a roof replacement at the Lake Tahoe Airport.

But their presence does have much benefit as well officials said.

“[Nesting] parents will bring each of their young up to 1,000 mosquitos a day,” said Cheryl Millham, executive director of Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care.

Indeed, Biltmore blackjack dealer Debbie Hutchins said that she “noticed fewer insects” in the area since the swallows joined the water cooler chat.

To receive more information about swallows and the laws protecting them, contact Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care at (530) 577-2273, or visit its Web site at www.ltwc.org. To learn about applying for a nest-removal permit, visit www.fws.gov/pacific/mbsp.

Staff writer Tom Meyer can be reached at 831-4666 ext. 112 or at tmeyer@tahoebonanza.com.

Add comment July 25th, 2006