6 replies to this topic

[PamelaL]

Hi;  I have a bird nesting in my back yard that I have been unable to identify.  I have just posted 4 pictures if anyone could help me would be greatly appreciated.

The pair have a metallic blue back and white chest.  They have and amazing flight pattern of swooping and circling. Long pointed wings which for their tiny bodies seems large.  They have just had babies which I can hear squacking in the house every so quietly though.  They are not a vocal bird and we have never heard them sing or chirp unlike the nesting robins a couple doors down.  Mom and dad both take turns running for food.

Anybody know?  Thanks for your help,

Pamela

Calgary, Alberta

 

[admin]

The best I could come up with is the Tree Swallow or a Eastern Kingbird.

Tree Swallow

These medium-sized swallows are iridescent steely greenish-blue above and white below. Males are iridescent greenish, while females tend to be a mixture of brown and greenish-blue iridescence. They have a short black beak and dark reddish brown or brownish gray feet.

The photos of the bird are too small to really make much out of it, but David Lukas may be able to figure it out.

Kingbird

A small bird with black head, blue-black back and wings, black tail with white terminal band, white throat, ***, underparts, and undertail. Red feathers in middle of crown usually concealed and seen only when a bird is displaying. Bill, legs, and feet are black. Juveniles have browner upperparts than adults and lack red crown feathers.

You can click on Listen to Call on those two pages and hear if either sounds like your bird.

[David Lukas]

Pamela,

This bird is certainly a swallow and you've captured them perfectly in your description of their amazing flight pattern and long pointed wings. The metallic blue back and white underparts is characteristic of a male tree swallow, while the female is dusky brown with hints of metallic blue. From the looks of things you are very lucky to have them nesting in your backyard. Thank you for offering them a place to nest! If you can get some of your neighbors to put out nestboxes too then you'll have more swallows coming to your area I'd bet, and they'll eat all the mosquitoes too!

 

Thanks for your posting,

 

David Lukas and Simone Whitecloud

 

[PamelaL]

Thanks Mitch, I'm going to look into both those varieties you gave and see if I can find pictures to compare.  I'll try to get closer shots and share them if I do :)  Pamela

[PamelaL]

Thanks David!  Very helpful reply.  We are very fortuante to have them and it is a pleasure watching the tag team effort between the Mom and Dad now that they are feeding their babies.  I do have other bird houses on my fence posts but only the one sees really popular, I think I will switch the others out eventually if they see no action.

Thanks again for your reply, very appreciated!  Pamela

 

[PamelaL]

Yes you were absolutely right!

After checking it out at

http://www.mbr-pwrc....st/i6140id.html

I can say for sure that is what they are.

Thank you so much!

Pamela

 

 

 

 

[David Lukas]

One thing we should add is that once you get tree swallows nesting in your nestboxes there'll be a good chance that you might get bluebirds using the same boxes one day. Apparently the two species help each other raise their chicks in order to use the same nest boxes. Keep your eyes open and enjoy the experience!

David Lukas and Simone Whitecloud