Hello everyone! Today, let’s talk about the House Swallow, which boasts a charming white waist and cute white legs.
The House Swallow is 13-15 cm in length, featuring a striking black and white two-tone color. Although it resembles the Barn Swallow, there are a few differences. The House Swallow’s tail feathers are not V-shaped like those of the Barn Swallow; instead, they are slightly angular and shorter.
The House Swallow’s charm points are its white waist and white legs! The legs, in particular, are covered with fluffy white feathers down to the toes, resembling a tiny penguin. This is why it is sometimes called the “flying penguin.” However, you can’t see the legs while it is flying, so your chance to observe them is when the bird is on the ground gathering mud.
Its diet consists of insects. The House Swallow has a habit of building nests in colonies, and the sight of dozens of them flying together is spectacular. They build their nests using mud and dry grass, and lay 3-4 eggs at a time.
As its name suggests, the House Swallow used to build nests on rocky cliffs, but recently, it has been more common to find their nests under concrete structures like buildings and bridges. With the increase in concrete structures, the House Swallow has come to favor these spots.
The House Swallow is attractive not only for its adorable appearance but also for its communal behavior. Next time you spot a House Swallow, make sure to check out its white waist and fluffy legs. You might discover something new! Until next time!
