Should I evict tree swallows now that their brood has fledged?
Nesting Habits Tree Swallows prefer open areas near water or in dead trees at the waters edge for nesting. This bird is a cavity nester and is an ideal candidate for man-made bluebird bird houses. Competition from House Wrens and House Sparrows makes it even more important to place and monitor bird houses for these graceful flyers. These birds defend only the nest itself. If predators or human visitors approach the nest while the birds are around, the birds may swoop down toward the intruder, turning at the last minute just narrowly missing the intruder. The nest is built primarily by the female, although the male does some gathering of materials. Cup shaped and made of grasses for a foundation and lined with feathers. The nest building process can take as long as a month but generally completed in 2 to 3 weeks The female lays 4 to 7 white eggs which are incubated for 13 to 16 days. Sometimes, during egg laying and even incubation time, the nest may be abandoned for a few days. During
