Subject: [Tweeters] Swallow Nest Materials
Date: May 15 13:16:16 2009
From: chris - chris at zhonka.net


Here is something fun. Get a bagful of feathers during the winter and when
May comes around, give them to the swallows.



The swallows will snatch them out of the air or off the ground. It is most
amazing when they grab a large 6+ inch flank feather out of the air, and
play with it to get it arranged just right under their bodies and fly away
with it-longer than they are. I take a 10' 1-inch plastic pipe sometimes
and blow feather out through the top so they get some loft and float for
awhile letting the birds pick them out of the air. I'll have 20 birds
hovering around that pipe. They have even taken them from my hand. Right
now there are 30 or so tree and violet greens and about 10 barn swallows
over my yard picking up feathers I have scattered around.



I use goose feathers I get from slaughtered geese. I suppose chicken
feathers would work too but the goose feathers are larger and softer which
the swallows seem to prefer. I put the feathers in the freezer for 48
hours, take them out and do it again in a few days. This kills mites.



Chris Maynard

Olympia