Interesting Facts
Many may think not much research has used
Tree Swallows as their test subjects, but an interesting fact is that Tree
Swallows are considered the fruit fly or lab mouse of Ornithology. They
are the species of choice when it comes to examining song birds. Some
consider them as the “model species.” They have brought contributions to
learning more about not only the biological aspects of other birds, but they
have also helped learn more about bird ecology and behavior.
Tree Swallows work as great “model species” because they
are easy to attract. All you need to do is build
a birdhouse and they will
be flocking in before no time. The one
advantage to building birdhouses
then is that if you do want to do research you bring the Tree Swallows to you
and it is easier to manipulate these conditions. Another advantage to
using Tree Swallows as test subjects is that they will return to the same spot
each year so you can watch them for years. Also, Tree Swallows will not
desert their eggs or babies if you touch them or need to handle them for
research. Finally, they make good subjects because most of their life is
spent out in the open, so you can examine them easily.
In one specific research project, which has
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been
going on for over 40 years, scientists are documenting the laying date of Tree
Swallows in North America. As climate change is raising the temperature
and causing spring to come earlier, so are the Tree Swallows. In 1995 Tree
Swallows were coming 9 days earlier than records showed in 1971. That is
quite a significant change. Research is determining whether or not the
cause for early Tree Swallow migration is directly related to the increase in
temperature or if it is the increase in food causing the Tree Swallows to
migrate for those reasons. These earlier springs could then allow a
greater chance of survival for the young born allowing a greater increase in the
Tree Swallow population.
To learn how to attract your own Tree Swallows click How to Build Your Own Birdhouse. Click here to return return to the Tree Swallow:Tachycineta bicolor Homepage.