I’m learning more about the tree swallows, and in particular what I’m wondering about is: Why is it important that we build nests for these tiny birds? I was researching this question online, and this article caught my attention because of it’s title:

“I wanted a few people who I could do a lot with,” Wink said. “At each new site, we learn so much.” Though the sites are currently too spread out to meaningfully study migration, Wink said one day he hopes it will be possible. Martín Quiroga set up the first Golondrinas boxes in Argentina in 2000. After meeting Wink through the Internet and visiting Ithaca three times, he wanted to get involved. With help from students, he now runs the Santa Fe site in Argentina where he studies the White-rumped Swallow. “This project is promising, because we can share ideas,” Quiroga said. “The biology of birds is moving, and you can’t really investigate it if you are working by yourself.”

Quill, E. (2008). Tree Swallow Farmer. (7).

The quote I chose here is depicting how fascinating tree swallows can be to certain people and how they dedicate quite a lot of their time into building homes to observe the birds. I believe this is accurate because it's just like Rocking the Boat. Everytime I attend a session, I leave from there learning something new. Knowledge is exciting and just keeps expanding. This is something you cannot corrupt. I really am blown away by several species of swallows such as the White-rumped. I love the last sentence in the quote because it takes teamwork to actually make good progress. You can't always do everything by yourself.

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After reading that, I still had many unanswered questions about tree swallows and their migratory patterns. So my interest on the subject led me to find a better, thought-provoking article with the following:

“I am an ornithologist with strong interests in physiological, evolutionary and behavioral ecology. In my present work, I explore the causes of temporal and spatial variation in the life histories of birds, focusing mostly on breeding biology and movements. Though I have an abiding fondness for birds in the Charadriiformes, since the late 1980’s I have been focusing on Tree Swallows in my studies of history variation. Swallows are obligate aerial insectivores during the breeding season, and because air temperatures in spring often are too cold for aerial insects to fly, food availability for swallows can go from feast to famine over a few hours with the passage of a cold front.”

Winkler, D. (2008). My Interests. (2).

The quote I chose here is basically saying that swallows can only exist in one territory under particular environmental conditions. I think this is highly inspiring, because Professor Winkle seems very attached to his work. It's remarkable how he first started off studying slightly larger birds and now tree swallows. I knew swallows ate insects, but I didn't know what to call them. "Insectivore" seems just right. I do find it puzzling how in one day swallows could be feasting on insects and the next they can't because of the occasional cold temperature during spring season.

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My research on the importance of tree swallows was almost complete, up until I came across yet another article, which finally allowed me to gain a greater understanding on the matter:

"Every Fall, thousands of birds go to Cape May County. Some of my favorites are the Tree Swallows. They like to sit on telephone lines. They're usually nice, but sometimes they fight over who gets to sit where."

John Thornton. (2009). Tree Swallows. (2:09). 5th January

The quote I chose here is briefly explaining how tree swallows gather in flocks. I am assured that this is correct because tree swallow have been known to be very competitive. They get very defensive when other birds try to enter their nest, and that is especially true when it comes to collecting feathers for their nests, as the rivalry between swallows is pretty intense. The swallows use these feathers to line their nests, and is an important factor in the reproductive process.