Swallowing Bugs

Hirundinidae

Hey kids, welcome back to our series on the mysteries of created kinds. Last week we met a prickly, cuddly group of rodents that can easily fend off most predators. Unlike the last few weeks, this week’s kind is not specific to one area. It is found worldwide, often around water sources, where it hunts insects.

Members of this kind love to munch on insects. They are particularly fond of social insects like bees and ants. In one study, members of the social insects were almost 70% of their diet.1 Lots of food is needed to satisfy the hunger of the chicks, and, given that these birds tend to live in medium-sized colonies, there is not always enough food to go around. In larger colonies, newly hatched chicks are more likely to die, probably from lack of proper nutrition.2 In some species, the colonies will migrate to avoid harsh winter conditions.3

Many members of this species nest in caves or other dark, covered areas of their habitat. They are not particularly picky about their nesting sites, willing to nest under bridges and culverts as well.4 Even drainpipes will work in a pinch.5 Nests and eggs are quite small, measured in centimeters and millimeters, respectively.6 The chicks are sensitive to cold, with it being one of the leading causes of death in this kind.7 By contrast, heating the nest seems to help the chicks grow and develop.8

Has anyone figured it out yet? This week’s kind is the Hirundinidae—the swallow kind. These little birds can zip through the air hunting insects. There are probably some that live in your neighborhood, and they are probably fairly comfortable around humans. Stay tuned for next week when we search for something that looks like a snake but isn’t.

Barn Swallow9

Try out this fun crossword!

Clue

Your clue for the week is:

There are five families in this group and almost 200 species.

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Ask a Question

Have you ever had a question about created kinds but didn’t know who to ask? Have you ever wanted to learn more about your favorite kind? Well, now you can! You can ask me, Inspector Barry Mins, a question! Have your parents help you fill out this form, and you might get your question answered in my column! If you have any questions about created kinds, feel free to send them my way!

Footnotes

1. F. R. Fernandes, L. D. Cruz, and A. A. F. Rodrigues. “Diet of the Gray-Breasted Martin (Hirundinidar: Progne chalybea) in a Wintering Area in Maranhao, Brazil.” Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 15, no. 3 (2007): 445–447.
2. P. Santema, S. C. Griffith, N. E. Langmore, J. Komdeur, and M. J. L. Magrath. “Does Foraging Efficiency Vary with Colony Size in the Fairy Martin Petrochelidon ariel?” Journal of Avian Biology 40, (2009): 57–66.
3. J. B. Wong, F. Turon, M. Fernandez-Tizon, and S. Hahn. “First Insights into Migration Routes and Nonbreeding Sites Used by Red-Rumped Swallows (Cecropis daurica rufula) Breeding in the Iberian Peninsula.” Journal of Ornithology 163 (2022): 1045–1049.
4. K. L. Kosciuch, C. G. Ormston, and K. A. Arnold. “Breeding Range Expansion by Cave Swallows (Petrochelidon fulva) in Texas.” The Southwestern Naturalist 51, no. 2 (2006): 203–209.
5. M. A. Musschenga. “Observations on the Nest of the Brown-Bellied Swallow Orochelidon murina (Hirundinidae) in Quito.” Revista Ecuatoriana de Ornitologia 7 (2021): 68–76.
6. E. B. Linck, H. C. Huber, H. F. Greeney, and K. S. Sheldon. “Nesting Biology of the Blue-and-White Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) in northeastern Ecuador.” Ornitologia Neotropical 30 (2019): 5–10.
7. D. W. Winkler, M. K. Luo, and E. Rakhimberdiev. “Temperature Effects on Food Supply and Chick Mortality in Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor).” Oecologia 173 (2013): 129–138.
8. J. H. Perez, D. R. Ardia, E. K. Chad, and E. D Clotfelter. “Experimental Heating Reveals Nest Temperature Affects Nestling Condition in Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)” Biology Letters 4, no. 5 (2008): 468–471.
9. Zeynel Cebeci, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hirundo_rustica_-_Barn_Swallow_04.jpg.