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Photo Submission

Submitted By

Amanda Preece

Pacific Grove, CA, USA

Description

I am so lucky that I get to witness these astonishing bird interactions and activities just in passing. I can’t imagine what it would be like to monitor these birds all day long. The drama! I love Violet-green Swallows as they are very beautiful and graceful in the air but also tenacious at the nest: moms don’t leave if the box gets opened, they are scrappy when fighting with the Western Bluebirds for a home, the juveniles return to the boxes when they’re bored of foraging on their own. Just immense personality. And really understudied compared to the Tree Swallows, which have a wider range. I’d like to conduct more research on the VGSW and figure out why they have years of total nest failure and other years are successful. Someday, when I have more time. There are other images of some of my favorite park residents, which include the Western Bluebirds, Pygmy Nuthatches, and Northern Flickers. All are amazing individuals who I love.

Category

Nests in boxes

Tags

Nesting Asilomar Birds

The Violet-green Swallows are always bold when checking out potential nest cavities. This female Northern Flicker was already occupying this large nestbox and was wondering what all the commotion outside was about. The swallows found other suitable boxes nearby.

One response to “Nesting Asilomar Birds”

  1. Robyn Bailey says:

    Thank you for these fascinating submissions Amanda! When you get ready to do that Violet-green Swallow research project, you are welcome to all of the NestWatch data for the species!

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