The name of the urban swallow in medieval literature, many know. The people called her a funnel. The size of an urban swallow is about the size of a sparrow. But its pure-white nails and abdomen, a black back with a bluish tint, a tail with a pretty neckline, legs covered with fluff and feathers are so attractive that people have always been very tender towards this bird.
The city swallow flies quickly, deftly picking up insects on its way. Despite her weak and expressionless voice, she is very sociable. Summons chicks to himself with short murmuring sounds like “chirr-chirr” or “trick-trick”. He loves not only bird neighbors, but also people. When a cute family of swallows watches you, sitting on the wall of your house, your soul becomes so warm and quiet joy fills your heart.
Since people began to live in large settlements, the city swallow began to accompany them through life. Birds made nests under the roofs of houses, skillfully fastening them to sheer walls. This was regarded by the residents as a good sign from above. God-fearing people in the old days treated them as a
talisman for home and family.
The city swallow is a wonderful harbinger of rain and bad weather. True, these days their number has decreased significantly. This is due to the fact that it is becoming increasingly difficult for swallows to find food and clay and fibers necessary for building nests. Within cities, there are practically no puddles from where they draw building materials. Today their people are also driving away from the eaves of their houses, taking care of the cleanliness of the facade.
How beautiful and elegant the flying swallow is in flight, the photo located here reflects very accurately. At first she often, often flaps her wings, and then freezes and soars for a long time in the air, remaining motionless. Then the bird gracefully lowers itself onto the tree to rest or, having caught the prey, tenaciously fastens its body to the steep wall at the nest, where large-breasted chicks are waiting for dinner.
The city swallow builds its nests outside the house. But her village cousin knows exactly how to get into a small window in the roof of the building and build a house right in the attic. For one summer season, the family takes two or three generations of chicks. Her young offspring far from their parental shelter do not fly away, but form nearby friendly group settlements. Each female lays in a nest from three to five eggs, white, but with small red dots. The first laying is done at the end of spring.
At present, when cities and towns have become inhospitable to urban swallows, and due to the spraying of fields, gardens and even forests of pesticides with pesticides, they have become scarce, this species of birds is still found in abandoned quarries near spent quarries filled with water. In some Western European cities, groups of people are created trying to protect such birds. To do this, on high masts, people install artificial nests and birdhouses for several families. Continuous fountains are organized next to them, the bottom of which is filled with clay and wool and plant fibers.