I have been watching tree swallows feed their young in one of our bluebird boxes. Both parents are busy coming into and out of the box. I was wondering what they feed their young? I looked it up and it turns out that they eat the same thing as the adults - mostly flying insects. Flies, wasps, mosquitos, leaf hoppers, among many others. This is what you call a very beneficial bird!

I found this info. at Tree Swallow Projects . com

Do Tree Swallows feed their young one insect at a time?

  • No. Adults catch many prey per foraging trip, holding them in a tight mass or
    "bolus" in their bill and throat
    .
  • Studies have found averages of between 19 and 34 prey per Tree Swallow
    bolus, with roughly 8,000 prey fed per brood per day. The first photo is mine with parent in the hole.




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