They only weigh 20 grams and their appearance is extremely delicate. But They return to the Iberian peninsula every year after traveling more than 5000 kilometersFrom the Gulf of Guinea, in Africa, where they spend the winter. The Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea have hardly flown over peace and have resisted water and sandstorms. A single couple feeding their young can fly up to 1,700 and eliminate mosquitoes a day. There is no more effective and ecological insecticide. They are the swallow They return to Europe to reproduce and announced spring.
The swallow común (Swallow nationwide) is one of the best known and the best studied birds. The species was the key to unraveling aspects of migration, sexual selection and reproduction in birds. Because of the proximity of man through history Climate changeis considered an announcement of good weather.
Despite its abundance, It is a species in decline, mainly due to changes in rural areas and agricultural policy and techniques And although it is not an endangered species, It has serious problems for several decades, such as the random use of pesticides, that reduce the amount of insects, the feeding of which it feeds, the Deliberate elimination of nests With the excuse that they are dirty (something that is strictly forbidden and an action that will probably be fined) Nesting difficulties in new national constructions and the Leaving the rural roomWith the resulting ruin of many buildings.
The swallows return and announce spring
Bécquer said in his verses that “the Swallows ”. For the Sevillian poet The migration of the swallow It was a symbol of lost love, but for many other people it is a sign of good news. And is that in the Popular culture The presence of swallows is taken as the announcement of springA station that is very dear to society and especially for payments and payments that see their reborn orchards.
In fact there was even a time when it was not believed swallow They migrated to other countries, but hid between stones and holes, according to Aristotle, or that made a trip to the moon. It is clear that this is a thing of the past; Now we know that swallows migrate to warmer countriesThey eat insects and are one of the star species of the Ritmenura Citizen Science Project, which studies whether they arrive earlier because of global warming.
Where do the swallows come from?
The swallow común (Swallow nationwide) Usually live and increase in Europe, but migrate to the southern hemisphere – mainly to Africa – to spend the coldest months of winter. And as soon as the temperatures on the peninsula are soft again, come back. That is why They are an indicator for the arrival of spring and good weather.
In recent years, however, it has been discovered that they return earlier than expected, because of the warm winters that climate change entails. According to the volunteers of the ‘Ritmenura’ project from Creaf, even Some swallows even come to some corners of Catalonia in January. This is a problem for these birds, because snowfall and frost can occur after their return and not be adjusted to resist them.
How do they feed?
Swallows are insective animals, so they mainly feed on insectsSuch as mosquitoes or bees. Occasionally they also eat berries and fruit.
Are The hunting method is very colorful, because they do it in full flight and without forR. That is why those who live in the vicinity of nests are swallow They will see them in the sun oppanes and very active sunsets that freshen the sky, because it is the time of more activity of the mosquitoes.
Where do they nest?
When they arrive at the Iberian peninsula from the south to lift, The swallows are looking for buildings, masias, farms and various corners of urban areas to make their nest. Although many people may have a certain suspicion of having these nests at home, they are certainly not discomfort: they do not attack, they are not too loud and leave the area free!