Diet of nestling Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica in rural areas of Poland

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 1023-1035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Orłowski ◽  
Jerzy Karg
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Average Mass ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Prey Items

AbstractAnalysis of faecal sacs of nestling Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica from 52 breeding colonies located within fifteen spatially-separated villages in Poland has revealed that the basic component of the diet was Coleoptera (56.1% of all identified prey items), followed by Hymenoptera (24.1%), Diptera (16.1%) and Hemiptera (3.3%). The average mass of all prey items with known weight amounted to 3.40 mg (95% CL, 3.16–3.63 mg; median=0.49 mg) dry weight. Coleopterans associated with dung and manure jointly made up 23.5% of the number and 24.3% of the total biomass of all representatives of the order. Statistically significant negative relationships between the average weight of prey and number of prey found in 52 analyzed breeding sites suggest a particular need for Barn Swallows to find larger-bodied prey rather than to exploit the local abundance of smaller prey. The high percentage of Coleoptera in the diet of nestling Barn Swallows probably results from extensive or traditional farm management based on rules of organic farming in agricultural areas of central Europe, mainly commonly used organic fertilizers, and suggests the importance of these insects as a more easily accessible and larger-bodied prey in comparison to some small Diptera or Hymenoptera. We believe that a large number of randomly collected faecal samples from tens of breeding sites allow us to precisely describe variation in the diet of the Barn Swallow. Our work has great importance for documenting of the food composition of the Barn Swallow in traditional European countrysides, i.e. under environmental and agricultural conditions which, as a result of transformations of the system of farming, ceased to exist in the western and northern part of this continent.

Flight speed, foraging efficiency, and daily energy budget of the Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 1176-1183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Horacio de la Cueva ◽  
Robert W. Blake
Keyword(s):  
Doppler Radar ◽  
Flight Speed ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Foraging Efficiency ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Aerodynamic Model ◽  
Daily Energy ◽  
Energy Store ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Barn Swallows

Aerodynamic power equations predict optimal speeds at which birds ought to fly if they are to maximize time spent in the air on a given energy store (minimum power speed, Vmp), distance covered using a given amount of fuel (maximum range speed, Vmr), and rate of delivering food to the chicks in the nest (Vnest), or maximize the daily energy balance (VDBAL). With the aerodynamic model employed, these speeds are 5.3, 7.0, 7.9, and 8.9 m∙s−1, respectively, for the Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica. A comparison of the predicted flight speed with both the mean and median flight speeds (8 m∙s−1 in both cases; n = 821) recorded with Doppler radar indicates that Barn Swallows fly at speeds not significantly different from Vnest. The true sample size was unknown, and realistic sample sizes are drawn with bootstrap procedures and compared with those given by the number of measurements (821); no significant differences were found. To test the model, energy requirements for growth, prey density, and time spent foraging were varied independently in a sensitivity analysis. Large but realistic changes in these three variables do not contradict the model and predict speeds within the range measured in the field.

scholarly journals Conspecific cues encourage Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) prospecting, but not nesting, at new nesting structures

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-245
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Campomizzi ◽  
Zoé M. Lebrun-Southcott ◽  
Kristyn Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Nesting Habitat ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Manipulative Experiments ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Conspecific Cues

Shed-like structures are being built to provide Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) nesting habitat in response to population declines. However, Barn Swallow use of these structures is unavailable in the literature. We conducted three manipulative experiments to test if adding conspecific cues (i.e., vocalizations and decoys) to newly-built structures affected prospecting visits by Barn Swallows (1) during pre-breeding, (2) during post-breeding, and (3) during or after broadcasts of vocalizations compared to before broadcasts. Additionally, we monitored nesting following pre- and post-breeding cues. We built one nesting structure with and one without conspecific cues at each of 10 study sites in southern Ontario, Canada where nesting habitat was recently lost. We detected about twice as many Barn Swallows immediately after conspecific broadcasts compared to before. We did not find substantial differences in abundance and interactions with new nesting structures for other comparisons involving conspecific cues. Following pre-breeding cues at 10 sites, six nests were built in three of 10 structures treated with conspecific cues, compared to five nests in four of 10 structures without cues. In the subsequent breeding season following post-breeding cues at eight sites, four nests were built in two of eight structures treated with conspecific cues, compared to four nests in three of eight structures without cues. Conspecific vocalizations appeared to increase prospecting behaviour, but not the number of nests, at new nesting structures. The paucity of nests on new structures suggests that building shed-like structures may not be an effective method of mitigating loss of nesting habitat.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) fledglings use crop habitat more frequently in relation to its availability than pasture and other habitat types

The Condor ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe K Boynton ◽  
Nancy A Mahony ◽  
Tony D Williams
Keyword(s):  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Natal Habitat ◽  
Movement Distance ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Declining Species

Abstract Populations of birds that forage on aerial insects have been declining across North America for several decades, but the main causes of and reasons for geographical variation in these declines remains unclear. We examined the habitat use and survival of post-fledging Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, using VHF radio telemetry. We predicted that fledgling Barn Swallows hatched in higher-quality natal habitat (pasture) would fledge at higher quality, stay closest to the nest, disproportionately use higher-quality habitat during the post-fledge stage, and have higher survival rates in the region. Contrary to our predictions, we found that natal habitat (crop, pasture, or non-agriculture) had no effect on fledgling quality or movement distance. Barn Swallow fledglings used crop habitat more frequently in relation to its availability than other habitat types, including pasture. Barn Swallows had low post-fledging survival rates (0.44; 95% CI: 0.35–0.57), which could negatively influence the population trend of the species in this region. While natal habitat had only minor effects, crop habitat appears to be important for fledgling Barn Swallows and, therefore, a decline in this habitat type could have further negative implications for an already declining species.

Flight speeds of the barn swallow, Hirundo rustica

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Blake ◽  
R. Kolotylo ◽  
H. de la Cueva
Keyword(s):  
Doppler Radar ◽  
Standard Metabolic Rate ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Flight Behaviour ◽  
Maximum Range ◽  
Group A ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Predicted Values ◽  
Group B

A Doppler radar hand gun was used to measure flight speeds of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) to determine whether mean flight speed coincides with either the minimum power, Vmp, or maximum range, Vmr, speeds predicted by aerodynamic theory. In addition, flight speeds are also compared with the maximum range speed, V′mr, when the mechanical equivalent of the standard metabolic rate is included in the power curve. A total of 821 speed recordings were divided into two groups based on observed flight behaviour. Group A had characteristically low (<0.5 m above the ground) and straight flight paths. Group B flew higher (>0.5 m) and erratically. Mean flight speeds of 8.6 and 6.8 m∙s−1 were determined for groups A and B, respectively. When compared separately, both means are significantly different from predicted values of Vmp (= 4.2 m∙s−1, p < 0.001), Vmr (= 5.6 m∙s−1, p < 0.001), and V′mr (= 6.2 m∙s−1, p < 0.001). It is likely that the birds fly at significantly higher speeds than the predicted optima for most routine flight activities. The penalties involved in departing from Vmp, Vmr, and V′mr (assessed as percent increase in total aerodynamic power relative to Vmp, Vmr, or V′mr) are substantial.

The breeding ecology of the barn swallow Hirundo rustica gutturalis in South China

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilio Pagani-Núñez ◽  
Chao He ◽  
Biao Li ◽  
Ming Li ◽  
Ruchuan He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern China ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Chinese Populations ◽  
Climatic Regions ◽  
Nestling Condition ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract:Some animal species are found in many environments and over wide distributions and may have adaptations to live in such different areas. The barn swallow Hirundo rustica is an example of a species that is able to thrive over a large geographic range and in many different environments. However, little is known of the breeding biology of this species in southern China. Here, we studied 18 breeding pairs of barn swallow H. r. gutturalis in Nanning, Guangxi, between April and July 2015. We studied its breeding fitness and parental investment. We found that tropical barn swallows bred from early April to early July and had from two to five fledglings per brood. We also recorded a strong seasonal decrease of breeding success and nestling condition that has also been found in temperate regions. Nevertheless, nestlings showed relatively long wings and low body masses, which may have enabled three sets of parents to raise three broods per breeding season, more than in other Chinese populations. Generally, barn swallows breeding in the tropics showed a similar ecology to their conspecifics from temperate regions, probably due to the species’ niche specificity in urban settings. Morphological differences detected in this study require further research based on larger sample sizes and on more detailed data from different climatic regions of Asia.

scholarly journals Analysing phenotypic variation in barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) across China to assess subspecies status

2020 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Liu ◽  
Elizabeth S C Scordato ◽  
Zhengwang Zhang ◽  
Matthew Evans ◽  
Rebecca J Safran
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Phenotypic Differentiation ◽  
Phenotypic Differences ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Barn Swallows

Abstract Phenotypic variation is often used to delineate species and subspecies boundaries. Statistical analysis of phenotypic variation within a species is helpful both for understanding biodiversity and for its conservation. At least three named subspecies of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) have distributions that span China, yet, to date, no systematic study of phenotypic differentiation has been applied to understand the delineation of these subspecies. In this study, we collected 510 samples of barn swallow from 23 populations in China, including two recognized subspecies, H. r. rustica and H. r. gutturalis, and one potential subspecies, H. r. mandschurica. With these samples, we examined and found morphometric and colour differences among different populations. Western Chinese barn swallows (H. r. rustica) have larger body size and could be clearly differentiated from eastern H. r. gutturalis and H. r. mandschurica, while north-eastern populations (named H. r. mandschurica) have darker, redder ventral plumage than H. r. rustica and H. r. gutturalis. However, we inferred that although there were phenotypic differences between H. r. mandschurica and H. r. gutturalis, they were not sufficiently distinct to assign them to separate subspecies based on the 75% rule for defining subspecies.

scholarly journals Population trends of passage and wintering barn swallows (Hirundo Rustica) in Peninsular Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 880 (1) ◽  
pp. 012055
Author(s):  
N A Ismail ◽  
U N S Daud ◽  
S M Nor ◽  
M S Mansor
Keyword(s):  
Species Distribution Model ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Using Data

Abstract In Peninsular Malaysia, passage and wintering Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) often congregate at nocturnal roosts in towns. As a Holarctic migratory species, it is at risk of population collapse. Despite extensive research, little is known about this species in its wintering grounds, especially in the tropics. This study aimed to determine how climate change influences the population growth of this species across a geographical area over a decade, from 2009 to 2019. A species distribution model was constructed using data obtained from the eBird database – a citizen science project – of records from diverse locations. We used the Kernel Density tool in ArcGIS to describe Barn Swallow density and expansion pattern across Peninsular Malaysia. We demonstrate that the Barn Swallow’s population has fallen by about 27.1% over the last decade. In 2009, the species was dispersed in two distinct areas: Perlis to Pulau Pinang; and the Pahang region bordering Selangor and Negeri Sembilan; in addition, some individuals chose to winter in south-eastern Johor. Within ten years, the flock has descended from Perlis to the northwest corner of Perak, while the vast wintering area in Pahang has decreased and stretched down to Melaka and Johor. The differences in Barn Swallow numbers and distribution patterns observed in this study could be a result of climate and land use changes which have caused this species to spread to parts of other wintering regions, altering the arrival and departure times of migration, thereby interfering with its breeding season.

scholarly journals Heterochiasmy and Sexual Dimorphism: The Case of the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica, Hirundinidae, Aves)

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1119
Author(s):  
Lyubov P. Malinovskaya ◽  
Katerina Tishakova ◽  
Elena P. Shnaider ◽  
Pavel M. Borodin ◽  
Anna A. Torgasheva
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Recombination Rate ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Synaptonemal Complexes ◽  
Recombination Nodules ◽  
Barn Swallows

Heterochiasmy, a sex-based difference in recombination rate, has been detected in many species of animals and plants. Several hypotheses about evolutionary causes of heterochiasmy were proposed. However, there is a shortage of empirical data. In this paper, we compared recombination related traits in females and males of the barn swallow Hirundo rustica (Linnaeus, 1758), the species under strong sexual selection, with those in the pale martin Riparia diluta (Sharpe and Wyatt, 1893), a related and ecologically similar species with the same karyotype (2N = 78), but without obvious sexual dimorphism. Recombination traits were examined in pachytene chromosome spreads prepared from spermatocytes and oocytes. Synaptonemal complexes and mature recombination nodules were visualized with antibodies to SYCP3 and MLH1 proteins, correspondingly. Recombination rate was significantly higher (p = 0.0001) in barn swallow females (55.6 ± 6.3 recombination nodules per autosomal genome), caused by the higher number of nodules at the macrochromosomes, than in males (49.0 ± 4.5). They also showed more even distribution of recombination nodules along the macrochromosomes. At the same time, in the pale martin, sexual differences in recombination rate and distributions were rather small. We speculate that an elevated recombination rate in the female barn swallows might have evolved as a compensatory reaction to runaway sexual selection in males.

scholarly journals Maintenance of livestock farming may buffer population decline of the Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERTO AMBROSINI ◽  
DIEGO RUBOLINI ◽  
PAOLA TROVÒ ◽  
GIOVANNI LIBERINI ◽  
MARCO BANDINI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Dramatic Decline ◽  
Small Density ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Agricultural Areas

SummaryPopulations of farmland and long-distance migratory birds have suffered steep, often dramatic, declines in the last few decades. The Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica is a small migratory farmland bird that breeds synanthropically in farms, particularly where livestock is reared. Populations of this species have suffered marked declines in different parts of its European breeding range. Here, we first report a dramatic decline of 8.4% per year of the number of breeding pairs and the extinction of 19.6% of the colonies in three agricultural areas in Northern Italy, which differ in general ecological conditions. This decline was estimated on a very large sample of 190 randomly chosen farms where breeding pairs were censused both in 2001 and 2010, and occurred at different rates in the three study areas. Barn Swallows declined most (9.3% per year) in an intensively cultivated area where colonies are widespread, and least (1.3% per year) in a hilly area with a comparatively small density of colonies. Variation in livestock farming significantly influenced population dynamics. Specifically, cessation of livestock farming at a given farm between the two census years resulted in a significantly steeper decline in the number of breeding pairs compared to farms where livestock farming was maintained. Our findings highlight the fact that European populations of Barn Swallows breeding in intensively cultivated agro-ecosystems may become significantly depleted in the next decades, and indicate that maintenance of livestock farming may contribute to buffering the population decline of this species.

DNA metabarcoding reveals the broad and flexible diet of a declining aerial insectivore

The Auk ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beverly McClenaghan ◽  
Erica Nol ◽  
Kevin C R Kerr
Keyword(s):  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Reference Database ◽  
Large Prey ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Insect Prey ◽  
Aerial Insectivore ◽  
Aerial Insectivores ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Prey Items

Abstract Aerial insectivores are highly mobile predators that feed on diverse prey items that have highly variable distributions. As such, investigating the diet, prey selection and prey availability of aerial insectivores can be challenging. In this study, we used an integrated DNA barcoding method to investigate the diet and food supply of Barn Swallows, an aerial insectivore whose North American population has declined over the past 40 yr. We tested the hypotheses that Barn Swallows are generalist insectivores when provisioning their young and select prey based on size. We predicted that the diets of nestlings would contain a range of insect taxa but would be biased towards large prey items and that the diet of nestlings would change as prey availability changed. We collected insects using Malaise traps at 10 breeding sites and identified specimens using standard DNA barcoding. The sequences from these insect specimens were used to create a custom reference database of prey species and their relative sizes for our study area. We identified insect prey items from nestling fecal samples by using high-throughput DNA sequencing and comparing the sequences to our custom reference database. Barn Swallows fed nestlings prey items from 130 families representing 13 orders but showed selection for larger prey items that were predominantly from 7 dipteran families. Nestling diet varied both within and between breeding seasons as well as between breeding sites. This dietary flexibility suggests that Barn Swallows are able to adjust their provisioning to changing prey availability on the breeding grounds when feeding their nestlings. Our study demonstrates the utility of custom reference databases for linking the abundance and size of insect prey in the habitat with prey consumed when employing molecular methods for dietary analysis.

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