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Every March sees the annual spring migration of Tree Swallows. Most of these swallows spend the winter along the Caribbean, in Central America, and in the warmest parts of South Texas and California. Some will nest as far north as northern Alaska and Canada. Tree Swallows nest only in cavities, such as old woodpecker holes or man-made nestboxes. The supply of such sites is limited, and competition is intense. Put up a nestbox and give a swallow a home!
Support for BirdNote comes from the Cornell Lab’s Bird Academy, with online courses that share the wonder and joy of birds. More at AllAboutBirds.org.
BirdNote®
Tree Swallows March North
Written by Bob Sundstrom
This is BirdNote!
[Rapid series of male Tree Swallow’s song-like notes]
Every March, a vast, glittering blue wave sweeps northward across the North American continent. [Rapid series of male Tree Swallow’s song-like notes]
This natural wonder is not a massive storm rushing forth from the tropics. It is the annual spring migration of Tree Swallows. Millions of Tree Swallows. [Rapid series of male Tree Swallow’s song-like notes] The swallows spend the winter along the Caribbean, in Central America, and in the warmest parts of South Texas and California. By March, they’re on the move. Some will nest as far north as there are trees, in northern Alaska and Canada. [Rapid series of male Tree Swallow’s song-like notes]
Tree Swallows rank among the earliest northbound migrants. Most swallows eat only flying insects. But these early arrivers in the north may be aided by their ability to subsist on berries during cold spells.
But something else motivates the Tree Swallows’ northward push against the cold edge of winter: their choice of nest sites. They nest only in cavities, such as old woodpecker holes or man-made nestboxes. The supply of such specialized nest sites is limited, and competition is intense.
So in this case, the “early bird” gets the nest.
[Rapid series of male Tree Swallow’s song-like notes]
For BirdNote, I'm Michael Stein.
Support for BirdNote comes from the Cornell Lab’s Bird Academy, with online courses that share the wonder and joy of birds. More at AllAboutBirds.org.
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Song of the Tree Swallow provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Recorded by G.F. Budney
Producer: John Kessler
Executive Producer: Chris Peterson
© 2014 Tune In to Nature.org March 2017 / 2021 Narrator: Michael Stein
ID# 2008-03-31-TRES-03-KPLU TRES-03b