The Swallows of Summer

~ Written by Mark Kramer

Photo by Gary Seloff

The skies above Armand Bayou host over 220 species of birds in an average year. Of that vast array, swallows, more than any bird, typify the joy of flight. Swallows spend most of their life airborne and are capable of exhibiting spectacular displays of speed, maneuverability, and endurance.  Even more remarkable considering the birds weigh about a half ounce (2-U.S. quarters).

Cliff Swallow Nests Under Construction -photo by Lyman Brown

Three swallow species occupy the summer skies of Armand Bayou. The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) and Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) are now on view and are commonly sighted. My favorite spots to enjoy their precision flight maneuvers are from the Prairie Observation Platform, Boathouse Bayou Overlook, or best of all- while paddling. These aerial insectivores are birds of open space and require the expanse to demonstrate their extreme acrobatics while plucking bugs from mid-air. These species have expanded their nesting range over the past several decades. As the name implies, Cliff Swallows prefer to build their nests on the sides of cliffs. The nearest cliffs to the Bayou City are, well, a long way off. Twenty years ago, there were no nesting swallows on Armand Bayou. The birds have expanded their range throughout the Houston area and have learned to adapt to new nesting habitats. They now find suitable nesting structure by building their nests on the underside of concrete bridges which cross over local bayous. The Bay Area Boulevard bridge crossing of Armand Bayou holds the largest swallow nesting colony in the Armand Bayou watershed with approximately one hundred nests, and also provides an excellent viewing opportunity with binoculars from Bay Area Park. 

Nesting Cliff Swallows Collect Mud | Photo by Ann Brinley

Swallows return to the Texas coast in early Spring (mid-March) after an arduous trans-Gulf, non-stop flight from South America. The first order of business is nest building. Barn Swallows and Cliff Swallows make a fascinating nest made of mud. Gently landing or hovering over the bayou mudflats at low tide, the birds collect a mouthful of mud. Mixed with saliva, the nest is created one drop at a time. Hundreds of trips are required to complete the construction. 

Barn Swallow’s tiny feet find perfect perching habitat in nearby restored bulrush marshes | Photo by Gary Seloff

Aerial Acrobats Feed Young On The Wing | Photo by Gary Seloff

This is the time of year that newly hatched swallows take first flight. But imagine when you look down from the nest! Water everywhere. The first flight for fledgling swallows has zero tolerance for error. Birds in the water don’t recover. Swallows’ tiny feet find perfect perching habitat in nearby restored bulrush marshes. Slowly the young birds will build their flight muscles and are well fed on abundant flying insects. Swallows are amongst the earliest of Fall migrants to depart Texas. They leave Armand Bayou in late July or early August on the return flight to South America which is where they spend their winter months. 

Tree Swallows Wear A Tuxedo | Photo by Gary Seloff

Photo by Mark Kramer

All swallows are handsome birds, but the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) is adorned in a tuxedo. The rarest of swallows on Armand Bayou, there are only two known nests on the refuge. As the name implies, Tree Swallows build their nests in trees. One nest is located off of the Bay Area Park Marsh Boardwalk. A second nest is located in a nest box/birdhouse installed by ABNC Staff. The nest box is located on a dead tree over the bayou waters and is visible with binoculars from the Bayou Overlook on the Karankawa Trail. How exciting it was for me as I paddled past the box last week and confirmed the box was in use!

On Rare Occasion Large Flocks Of Migrating Swallows Stop In On Their Fall Migration South And Use ABNC As A Rest Stop | Photo by Gary Seloff

Swallows are on a short list of birds which are celebrated by communities around the world. The swallows of San Juan Capistrano California are welcomed every Spring with one of the longest-running celebrations in the country (80 years). Now is the time for you to visit and celebrate these local masters of flight, right in your own backyard. 

For a Deeper Dive Into Armand Bayou Swallows, watch Bayou City Eco-Almanac - Swallows