Barn Swallows in flight at Mount Moreland

Home page Where? Barn Swallows Gifts Barn Swallow Cards Barn Swallow Puzzles Sponsor the Barn Swallows Ebooks News Daily Sunset time Contact Us

Deformed Barn Swallow

By Peter John

It is clear something's wrong

Looks to me like the body feathers have grown into beak area. They are dark brown in colour from the normal chestnut

Deformed Barn Swallow 1

Deformed Barn Swallow 2

Deformed Barn Swallow 3
Awaiting advise from the experts

Had a chance today seeing all the Barn Swallows out and about in the glorious sunshine to investigate in the barn. Felt in nest one on the top shelf -full of eggs. Wall nest just new feathers placed. Nest two, one cold egg. Could be from second brood that didn't hatch. I will check again sometime. Another large nest under construction in my little so call office within the barn. No eggs in it. The Barn Swallows might be making it in preparation for next year, unless they are thinking about staying the winter in it.

15 August

Barn Swallow with deformation

Took advantage of seeing lone Barn Swallow with growth attached to it, so took a quick picture which might be clearer that previous one sent. Zoom in on it and see for your self how this little baby is somehow surviving. Very rarely goes out of barn with other Barn Swallow babies.

Last night noticed that the Barn Swallows - normally multitudes of them, ceased in numbers in the barn. Some people are noticing swallows gathering on electric cables ready for departure. I have seen this too. If parents are finished with feeding second broods they will make the decision to head south. Don't think my ones apart from the one on eggs third brood will be venturing for another brood. It's to late really to have such. My pair won't be getting away until early October. I think they will all leave early this year and bet they understand the weather forecast better than we do. Still have lots of babies in the little barn, but as mentioned some not on their usual perches last night. I am wondering how the not well baby will do, leave with his or her mates or hang on longer. Seems to prefer it in the barn than being out. Could be weak and not strong like the rest of them.