Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Science Article 3 abstract To compare fitness data not only between adults and juveniles but also between recently-fledged and older juvenile Swallows we looked for an externally-visible character to distinguish these two cohorts in the field. So far, no such criteria seem to have been described (Svensson 1992, Suter 1985, Cramp […]
Category: Hirundinidae
Swallow censuses in Northwest Germany(1986, 1991 and 1996)
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Science Article 6 abstract Starting in 1961, from 50-100 villages and settlements in the industrial area of Hannover-Braunschweig (centred on Peine) have been checked at 5-year intervals to count the nesting populationof House Martin Delichon urbica and Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica, the method beinga direct nest count. The hitherto stable Barn […]
Body moult and autumn migration in the barn swallow Hirundo rustica: is there a cost of moulting late?
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Science Article 4 abstract The timing of moult in birds is thought to be constrained by physiological trade-offs. We studied barn swallows in central Spain to assess whether (a) body moult tends to be temporally separated from migration in adult and first-year birds, (b) it is related to an impaired fattening, […]
Time of roosting of Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica at an Irish reedbed during autumn migration.
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Science Article 8 abstract Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica roosting time was studied at a south-coast Irish reedbed during 2003 to 2006. Roosting time varied between 11 and 35 minutes after sunset. There was no significant difference in roosting time after sunset across years. Roosting time (relative to sunset) was later in […]
Influence of parental age on the growth of nestling Swallows Hirundo rustica
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Science Article 7 abstract The growth (mass) of 67 nestling swallows is studied and factors influencing growth parameters are investigated. The logistic model best fits the data; there is no evidence that clutch-size influences any of the growth parameters. On the other hand, brood effect is highly significant for each of […]
Tail streamers and flight performance in Barn Swallows: natural or sexual selection?
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Science Article 5 abstract The paper of Evans (1998) published in the journal Nature on the evolution of tail streamers in male Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica is discussed in the light of some methodological problems commited by this author. The conclusions are that the interpretation of Evans’ results must be taken […]
A Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica roost under attack: timing and risks in the presence of African Hobbies Falco cuvieri
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Science Article 1 abstract A large Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica roost in Pennisetum-covered clearingsamid rainforest in SE Nigeria attracted at least eleven species ofavian predators. Bijlsma R.G. & van den Brink B. 2005, Ardea 93(1): 37-48 Download article download full text (pdf)
Frequency and consequences of feather holes in Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Science Article 10 abstract The relationship between feather quality, estimated through the prevalence and intensity of feather holes, and the breeding performance and survival of the Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica was studied over a 5-year period. In addition, we present some indirect data on the role of chewing lice in producing […]
Breeding biology of Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica in Algeria, North Africa
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Science Article 9 abstract Breeding biology of the Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica was compared between the first and second clutches in Annaba, Algeria, in 2001-2003. Swallows nested in different buildings used by humans,including factories,garages,staircasesand balconies in blocks of apartments. 55%-69% of breeding pairs produced two clutches. The average dates of the […]
Necrophilic behaviour, corpses as nuclei of resting flock formation, and road-kills of Sand Martins Riparia riparia.
Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Science Article 3 abstract Many animal populations are affected by road-kills. In this note I report that corpses of road-killed Sand Martins Riparia riparia attracted conspecifics and thereby increased mortality risk. Close to a lake in northern Greece I observed large numbers of Sand Martins, many of which rested on a […]