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Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

Photo by GregMasteller
Published on Project Noah
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40.5889, -83.1283

Field Notes

Description:

Adult Description
Small slender songbird.
White underneath and shiny blue-green on top.
Small bill.
Long wings.
Female Description
Yearling female brown on back with faint greenish sheen and some iridescent greenish blue feathers. Underparts white, sometimes with faint brown band across breast.
Immature Description
Juvenile sooty gray on back, without trace of blue. Underparts dull white. Dirty brown band across chest.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (14)

Wow, some of these little fellows are quite territorial. I have been dive bombed by them almost brushing my head from behind LOL. I have had to use my camera with the telephoto lens like a sword to thrust at them to keep them at bay. I had one keep attacking me from my blind side about 50 times. It would not relent until I was about 100 yards from it's nesting area - unusually committed male protecting it's turf. I have a beautiful wife too, so I guess I can understand - Ha!
I like tree swallows because they are so aerodynamic. As you can tell in these photos, they tuck their legs into their feathers so they do not cause drag. It reminds me of fighter jets folding up their landing gear.
Well http://www.projectnoah.org/users/Phil_S if you have a digital camera with manual controls one needs to set a high shutter speed.
Excellent series! What is your secret to the amazing in flight photos?
Nice! I can't get these cause they're so fast, but I see them all the time.
You are most welcome Greg ;)) I love the metallic sheen on the swallows. We have barn swallows out here. Would like to see a tree swallow one day.
Thank you http://www.projectnoah.org/users/Ajwerko

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Photographed
PublishedApril 8, 2013

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