   Photos Copyright ©2005 The Assateague Naturalist |
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta
bicolor) Length: about 5". Photographed on May 23, 2005, along the refuge's Wildlife Loop (map). Common spring through fall on Assateague Island, the tree swallow feasts on insects, including mosquitoes, while flying; and in the late summer and fall they include the berries of the bayberry tree in their diet. Usually tree swallows nest in tree cavities, but they also incline toward building nests in the small homes provided by the Refuge. They are fairly aggressive in defending their nests and have been known to dive at dive at people who come to close.
|
 Return
to Birds Menu |
|