Baby Barn Swallows--Answers 1. Why do you think the few feathers Barn Swallows have at hatching are all on the upper rather than the lower side of the body? Swallow nests are thick, made of mud pellets and grass stems, and lined with lots of feathers. So the underside of the babies is well-insulated from cold. When the mother broods them, her hot, bare tummy can keep them warm, but when she leaves to find food for her growing family, their upperside needs at least a little insulation before they are old enough to maintain their body temperature. 2. Why do you think that swallows remain in the nest so much longer when they don't have to grow as much? Think about the different places their nests are in and the different foods they eat. When baby robins fledge, they are good at hopping, but can't fly yet. Their nests are usually in trees where lower branches can catch fledglings, and if a baby falls from a porch light or other high structure on a house, it can flutter its wings hard so it won't crash too hard. Baby robins mainly eat worms, which they find on the ground, so as long as they can run or flutter to a nearby shrub when danger appears, they are safe. Swallows nest high up, without any branches below to catch little babies if they make a mistake their first flight. They eat flying insects, which are very hard to catch unless the swallows can fly well, too, so there is no good reason for the babies to fledge before they can fly well. That is why swallows remain in the nest longer--so their bodies will be more developed, and stronger, when they leave. Which baby do you think will be fed next? The baby with the wide open mouth will be more noticeable to its parents, so will probably get the next beakful of bugs. When its tummy is full, it will quiet down, and another bird will look the hungriest. Why do you think these babies are all facing the same way? A baby swallow is most likely to be fed when it calls and opens its mouth to its parents. These swallows are all facing in the direction that their parents are going to come in from. Why do you think these babies stay so close together? Parent swallows have to spend a lot of time hunting for insects. It is most efficient for them to have all the babies in one spot so they won't have to waste time searching for each baby, risking actually losing one. Copyright 2001 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form