Planet of Birds

American Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) Science Article 4 abstract The life history of the Ciff swallow bug Oeciacus vicarius is closely associated with that of the cliff swallow Hirundo pyrrhonota during the bird’s three month breeding period in the Nearctic region. The bugs are long lived, feed rapidly and lay eggs in several clutches that […]

American Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) Science Article 1 abstract The rate of diffusion of water molecules through air is inversely related to atmospheric pressure; diffusivity of water vapor, therefore, is greater at high altitudes than at lowelevations. Assuming that conservation of water in avian eggs is essential for normal development and hatching of embryos, we […]

American Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) Science Article 6 abstract For two consecutive years 24 hours or more of continuous precipitationduring early June resulted in mortality in nestlingT ree Swallows{ Iridoprocnebicolor} and Cliff Swallows {Petrochelidonp yrrhonota} in Marin County,California. There have been few reports of swallow nestling mortality caused byinclement weather in North America. Chapman (1955) […]

American Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) Science Article 3 abstract Cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) are migratory birds that breed in coloniesand frequently nest on highway structures. Protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of1918, swallows in their active nests cannot be harmed by nesting-control methods. Thiscauses problems and delays in maintenance of structures by divisions of […]

American Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) Science Article 5 abstract The study of adaptive behaviors lies at the very heart of behavioral ecology. Although there is certainly no lack of debate about what constitutes an adaptation (2), most researchers in the field probably would not quibble with the statement that adapted traits are those that are […]

American Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) Science Article 2 abstract Unlike many other woodpeckers that feed on woodboringinsects and larvae, Acorn Woodpeckers (MeIanerpes formicivorus) feed primarily on acorns, insects caught by flycatching, and sap (Bent 1939, MacRoberts 1970, MacRoberts and MacRoberts 1976). They also supplement their diets with an occasional small lizard (Koenig, pers. comm.), fruit, […]

American Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) Science Article 7 abstract Mark-recapture and the statistical analysis methods associated with it offer great potential for investigating fitness components associated with particular behavioral traits. However, few behavioral ecologists have used these techniques. We illustrate the insights that have come from a long-term mark-recapture study of social behavior in CliffSwallows […]