Quick update: It seems like swallow "feather play" has been recorded in
Barn Swallows but documented much more heavily in Tree Swallows. With a
little more research, I found a first-hand report (on The Birding
Project's blog) of very similar behavior to Trees in the closely related
Violet-green
Quick update: It seems like swallow "feather play" has been recorded in
Barn Swallows but documented much more heavily in Tree Swallows. With a
little more research, I found a first-hand report (on The Birding
Project's blog) of very similar behavior to Trees in the closely related
Violet-green
That’s a pretty wonderful recollection —- glad you had such glorious
experience!
Judy Thurber
Liverpool
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jun 9, 2021, at 7:05 AM, Meena Madhav Haribal wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> Barn Swallows are fascinating creatures. Recently, I was on dirt road, in a
> rural
That’s a pretty wonderful recollection —- glad you had such glorious
experience!
Judy Thurber
Liverpool
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jun 9, 2021, at 7:05 AM, Meena Madhav Haribal wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> Barn Swallows are fascinating creatures. Recently, I was on dirt road, in a
> rural
Hi all,
Barn Swallows are fascinating creatures. Recently, I was on dirt road, in a
rural area of Grand Forks ND, cruising slowly to look for grassland birds. And
I parked at one wet location to record some birds. All of sudden I found four
or five Barn Swallows flying around the car and
Hi all,
Barn Swallows are fascinating creatures. Recently, I was on dirt road, in a
rural area of Grand Forks ND, cruising slowly to look for grassland birds. And
I parked at one wet location to record some birds. All of sudden I found four
or five Barn Swallows flying around the car and
on. But far and away, body feathers of barnyard fowl
>> are the most common Tree Swallow nest lining material in these counties.
>>
>> Bob Yunick
>> Schenectady
>>
>>
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Robert Paxton
>> To: Joseph Wallace
>>
on. But far and away, body feathers of barnyard fowl
>> are the most common Tree Swallow nest lining material in these counties.
>>
>> Bob Yunick
>> Schenectady
>>
>>
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Robert Paxton
>> To: Joseph Wallace
>>
also show up in these
> nests on rare occasion. But far and away, body feathers of barnyard fowl
> are the most common Tree Swallow nest lining material in these counties.
>
> Bob Yunick
> Schenectady
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Robert Paxton
> To: Jos
also show up in these
> nests on rare occasion. But far and away, body feathers of barnyard fowl
> are the most common Tree Swallow nest lining material in these counties.
>
> Bob Yunick
> Schenectady
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Robert Paxton
> To: Jos
YunickSchenectady
-Original Message-
From: Robert Paxton
To: Joseph Wallace
Cc: NYSBIRDS
Sent: Mon, Jun 7, 2021 8:35 am
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Barn Swallow question
Another element to the white feather game. Swallows (especially tree swallows,
but perhaps barns too) habitually decorate
YunickSchenectady
-Original Message-
From: Robert Paxton
To: Joseph Wallace
Cc: NYSBIRDS
Sent: Mon, Jun 7, 2021 8:35 am
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Barn Swallow question
Another element to the white feather game. Swallows (especially tree swallows,
but perhaps barns too) habitually decorate
-3714...@list.cornell.edu
on behalf of Bruce Horwith
Sent: Tuesday, June 8, 2021 6:17 AM
To: Deborah Shapiro
Cc: Joseph Wallace ; nysbirds-l
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Barn Swallow question
And Carl Safina's Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel explores this
dimension for the wider animal
-3714...@list.cornell.edu
on behalf of Bruce Horwith
Sent: Tuesday, June 8, 2021 6:17 AM
To: Deborah Shapiro
Cc: Joseph Wallace ; nysbirds-l
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Barn Swallow question
And Carl Safina's Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel explores this
dimension for the wider animal
About a dozen winters ago, when we had heavy accumulation of snow, I
observed three American Crows ski down from the top of a 20ft Blue Spruce,
fly back up and ski down.
But the most unusual observation of playful or insane behavior was of a
female Baltimore Oriole's on the Hummingbird feeder.
I
About a dozen winters ago, when we had heavy accumulation of snow, I
observed three American Crows ski down from the top of a 20ft Blue Spruce,
fly back up and ski down.
But the most unusual observation of playful or insane behavior was of a
female Baltimore Oriole's on the Hummingbird feeder.
I
ct: Re: [nysbirds-l] Barn Swallow question
And Carl Safina's Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel explores this
dimension for the wider animal kingdom.
Bruce Horwith
16 Salt Marsh Path
East Hampton, NY 11937
(631) 599-0040 cell phone
On Mon, Jun 7, 2021 at 10:01 PM Deborah Shapiro
mailt
ct: Re: [nysbirds-l] Barn Swallow question
And Carl Safina's Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel explores this
dimension for the wider animal kingdom.
Bruce Horwith
16 Salt Marsh Path
East Hampton, NY 11937
(631) 599-0040 cell phone
On Mon, Jun 7, 2021 at 10:01 PM Deborah Shapiro
mailt
And Carl Safina's Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel explores this
dimension for the wider animal kingdom.
*Bruce Horwith*
*16 Salt Marsh Path*
*East Hampton, NY 11937*
*(631) 599-0040 cell phone*
On Mon, Jun 7, 2021 at 10:01 PM Deborah Shapiro wrote:
> We underestimate the mental
And Carl Safina's Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel explores this
dimension for the wider animal kingdom.
*Bruce Horwith*
*16 Salt Marsh Path*
*East Hampton, NY 11937*
*(631) 599-0040 cell phone*
On Mon, Jun 7, 2021 at 10:01 PM Deborah Shapiro wrote:
> We underestimate the mental
We underestimate the mental capacity of birds. While I don’t recall that she
discusses playful behavior, Jennifer Ackerman’s book The Genius of Birds gives
many examples of bird cognition that are fascinated and unexpected.
Great discussion.
Deborah
> On Jun 7, 2021, at 9:46 PM, Joseph
We underestimate the mental capacity of birds. While I don’t recall that she
discusses playful behavior, Jennifer Ackerman’s book The Genius of Birds gives
many examples of bird cognition that are fascinated and unexpected.
Great discussion.
Deborah
> On Jun 7, 2021, at 9:46 PM, Joseph
Thanks, everyone for the ongoing conversation. This is all so fascinating.
Corvids and parrots have been known as game-players (and tricksters) for a
long time, and it doesn't surprise me that gulls, already adept at a
creative kind of tool-using (stationery rocks to drop clams on), might also
Thanks, everyone for the ongoing conversation. This is all so fascinating.
Corvids and parrots have been known as game-players (and tricksters) for a
long time, and it doesn't surprise me that gulls, already adept at a
creative kind of tool-using (stationery rocks to drop clams on), might also
To: Joseph Wallace ; NYSbirds-L@cornell.edu
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Barn Swallow question
I've watched a pair of Ravens engage in "the stick game" - one drops a stick or
pine cone in flight, the other catches it then gains elevation and drops it to
their partner, accompani
To: Joseph Wallace ; NYSbirds-L@cornell.edu
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Barn Swallow question
I've watched a pair of Ravens engage in "the stick game" - one drops a stick or
pine cone in flight, the other catches it then gains elevation and drops it to
their partner, accompani
I have seen this Raven activity too.
Nancy
From: bounce-125691097-44613...@list.cornell.edu
on behalf of Naomi Lloyd
Sent: Monday, June 7, 2021 4:25 PM
To: Joseph Wallace ; NYSbirds-L@cornell.edu
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Barn Swallow question
I've
I have seen this Raven activity too.
Nancy
From: bounce-125691097-44613...@list.cornell.edu
on behalf of Naomi Lloyd
Sent: Monday, June 7, 2021 4:25 PM
To: Joseph Wallace ; NYSbirds-L@cornell.edu
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Barn Swallow question
I've
I've watched a pair of Ravens engage in "the stick game" - one drops a stick or
pine cone in flight, the other catches it then gains elevation and drops it to
their partner, accompanied by lots of vocalizations. Probably has pair-bonding
aspects but it sure looks like they enjoy it.
Naomi
I've watched a pair of Ravens engage in "the stick game" - one drops a stick or
pine cone in flight, the other catches it then gains elevation and drops it to
their partner, accompanied by lots of vocalizations. Probably has pair-bonding
aspects but it sure looks like they enjoy it.
Naomi
t;
>
> --
> *From:* bounce-125688380-83014...@list.cornell.edu <
> bounce-125688380-83014...@list.cornell.edu> on behalf of Joseph Wallace <
> joew...@gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Sunday, June 6, 2021 12:07 PM
> *To:* Shane Blodgett
> *Cc:* Brendan
t;
>
> --
> *From:* bounce-125688380-83014...@list.cornell.edu <
> bounce-125688380-83014...@list.cornell.edu> on behalf of Joseph Wallace <
> joew...@gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Sunday, June 6, 2021 12:07 PM
> *To:* Shane Blodgett
> *Cc:* Brendan
ony Brook, NY 11790
>> P: (631) 444-0310 | P: (631) 924-3156 | adriana.cappe...@dec.ny.gov
>> www.dec.ny.gov | | |
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> From: bounce-125688380-83014...@list.cornell.edu
>> on behalf of Joseph Wallace
>>
>> Sent:
ony Brook, NY 11790
>> P: (631) 444-0310 | P: (631) 924-3156 | adriana.cappe...@dec.ny.gov
>> www.dec.ny.gov | | |
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> From: bounce-125688380-83014...@list.cornell.edu
>> on behalf of Joseph Wallace
>>
>> Sent:
1) 924-3156 | adriana.cappe...@dec.ny.gov
> www.dec.ny.gov | | |
>
>
>
>
> From: bounce-125688380-83014...@list.cornell.edu
> on behalf of Joseph Wallace
>
> Sent: Sunday, June 6, 2021 12:07 PM
> To: Shane Blodgett
> Cc: Brendan Fogarty ; Ardith Bondi ;
1) 924-3156 | adriana.cappe...@dec.ny.gov
> www.dec.ny.gov | | |
>
>
>
>
> From: bounce-125688380-83014...@list.cornell.edu
> on behalf of Joseph Wallace
>
> Sent: Sunday, June 6, 2021 12:07 PM
> To: Shane Blodgett
> Cc: Brendan Fogarty ; Ardith Bondi ;
Another element to the white feather game. Swallows (especially tree
swallows, but perhaps barns too) habitually decorate their nests with white
feathers.
Bob Paxton
On Sat, Jun 5, 2021 at 10:04 PM Joseph Wallace wrote:
> This is more about bird behavior than rarity, so apologies if it's
Another element to the white feather game. Swallows (especially tree
swallows, but perhaps barns too) habitually decorate their nests with white
feathers.
Bob Paxton
On Sat, Jun 5, 2021 at 10:04 PM Joseph Wallace wrote:
> This is more about bird behavior than rarity, so apologies if it's
_
From: bounce-125688380-83014...@list.cornell.edu
on behalf of Joseph Wallace
Sent: Sunday, June 6, 2021 12:07 PM
To: Shane Blodgett
Cc: Brendan Fogarty ; Ardith Bondi ;
nysbirds-l@cornell.edu
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Barn Swallow question
ATTENTION: This email ca
_
From: bounce-125688380-83014...@list.cornell.edu
on behalf of Joseph Wallace
Sent: Sunday, June 6, 2021 12:07 PM
To: Shane Blodgett
Cc: Brendan Fogarty ; Ardith Bondi ;
nysbirds-l@cornell.edu
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Barn Swallow question
ATTENTION: This email ca
Thanks, Shane. I guess that's long been debated (e.g., do cats play?),
since almost all forms of play also have a "practice" aspect. I was telling
my swallow story to a friend in the D.C. area, and he described a pair of
foxes who had a den near his backyard. The kits would come out in the early
Thanks, Shane. I guess that's long been debated (e.g., do cats play?),
since almost all forms of play also have a "practice" aspect. I was telling
my swallow story to a friend in the D.C. area, and he described a pair of
foxes who had a den near his backyard. The kits would come out in the early
For birds that catch prey on the wing I wonder if this behavior is just for
“fun“ or could also be seen as “practice.”
Regards,
Shane Blodgett
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jun 6, 2021, at 10:53 AM, Joseph Wallace wrote:
>
>
> Thank you all for your replies (here and directly to me) and the
For birds that catch prey on the wing I wonder if this behavior is just for
“fun“ or could also be seen as “practice.”
Regards,
Shane Blodgett
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jun 6, 2021, at 10:53 AM, Joseph Wallace wrote:
>
>
> Thank you all for your replies (here and directly to me) and the
Thank you all for your replies (here and directly to me) and the
references. I love that feather-play is a "swallow thing." The one I
watched varied its game, swooping in from all angles and approaches. Twice
it flew almost straight upwards until it was perhaps fifty feet off the
ground before
Thank you all for your replies (here and directly to me) and the
references. I love that feather-play is a "swallow thing." The one I
watched varied its game, swooping in from all angles and approaches. Twice
it flew almost straight upwards until it was perhaps fifty feet off the
ground before
I have observed Tree Swallows in this behavior before, in fact I have
participated! Tossing a feather, particularly a white feather, into
the air in the vicinity of these birds will nearly always get their
interest and they will often swoop in and snatch it, flying up and
dropping it, only to
Joseph and all,
This behavior seems familiar, but I cannot say if I have seen it before in
person or in media. It is definitely documented; below is an excerpt from
Birds of the World online.
"In Britain, 3 juveniles were observed apparently playing with large white
feather while in flight,
Joseph and all,
This behavior seems familiar, but I cannot say if I have seen it before in
person or in media. It is definitely documented; below is an excerpt from
Birds of the World online.
"In Britain, 3 juveniles were observed apparently playing with large white
feather while in flight,
That is very cool! This is not exactly the same, but I was photographing a Tree
Swallow at Oceanside Marine Nature Study Area on Long Island last Tuesday with
a 500 mm PF lens (think, short and light for a 500mm) on a Nikon D850 with a
very loud shutter. I suddenly realized that the swallow was
That is very cool! This is not exactly the same, but I was photographing a Tree
Swallow at Oceanside Marine Nature Study Area on Long Island last Tuesday with
a 500 mm PF lens (think, short and light for a 500mm) on a Nikon D850 with a
very loud shutter. I suddenly realized that the swallow was
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