Swallow (lat. Hirundinidae) - a small songbird, having a black plumage with a white abdomen and muzzle. Notable is the short tail, which has a fork at the end in the form of a fork. To the question of where the swallows live, a simple answer can be given: everywhere. You can not find them only in the Far North. The most suitable area for living is the steppe zone.
The family of birds is very numerous - over a hundred species. The most common of these are city, village and coastal swallows. The differences between the three species are not very significant.
Habitat
City swallows for the blue-black color of feathers are otherwise called "funnels." Judging by the name, they prefer to settle in settlements. Places where swallows live are usually located under the roofs or cornices of houses. In cozy corners away from clawed enemies, urban residents erect their reliable nests. Where do swallows live? In the nest, of course. For the construction of houses used dry twigs of plants, chips, straws. The main material used is earth or clay. Fastening all the components with the help of saliva, form spherical nests.
Where the swallows live, there is an open area and no forests. Often, birds are located closer to human habitation, arranging their nests in such a way as to reliably shelter them from the weather. It can be attics, barns or other agricultural buildings. Bird housing can be found under the eaves of the house and even under the bridge. The shape of the nest is semicircular with an inlet located in the upper part.
The color of the village swallows is the same as that of the funnels, with the only difference being that they have a bright red necklace on their neck. Otherwise, they are called "killer whales" because of the long forked tail.
Where do they spend the winter?
All swallows are migratory birds. They spend the winter in distant and sultry Africa, flying there in September. Returning to their native places in mid-May, they immediately take up the construction of dwellings and laying eggs. After a couple of weeks, the chicks are born. Parents take turns hatching babies, providing each other with food. During the summer, birds manage to bring offspring twice.
Swallows eat exclusively insects: bugs, flies, grasshoppers, crickets, dragonflies. Eating them in large quantities, benefit the environment. During the period of feeding the chicks, swallows fly to the nests with food up to six hundred times.
The constant hunt for insects has led to popular wisdom about the approaching rain. Before precipitation, the air is filled with moisture, from which the wings of insects become heavier. From this they sink low to the ground. Birds in pursuit of insects also fall below. Hence the sign: low flying swallows portend fast rain.
Shore swallows
Shore swallows differ in color from their counterparts. Their feathers are brownish-brown. This allows them to deftly disguise themselves from possible enemies. Coastal birds build their dwelling in minks, which dig in cliffs above the banks of rivers and lakes. In the depths of the hole they make a nest. Dry blades of grass and stalks serve as the building material for it, which shore birds do not glue with saliva, but simply spread it.
Restless swallows are able to fly for a long time without sitting down. It is very interesting to watch coastal bird colonies. A sufficient amount of food is always found where swallows live. Therefore, birds fly all day over the water. Rushing over a pond, they can have time to get drunk or swim instantly.
Conclusion
In places where the siskin and swallow live, it is always noisy because both birds sing loudly. Above the open space you can hear the noisy cries of pichugs talking among themselves.