Aerial Insectivore

Aerial insectivores are a group of birds known for their unique foraging behavior that is characterized by feeding on flying insects mid-flight. These groups include species of swallows, swifts, nightjars and flycatchers.

One of the most common aerial insectivores in Wisconsin is the barn swallow, which can be identified by their dark blue coloring on top, rusty throat and forehead patches, lighter colored underside, and forked tail. They use mud, often mixed with grass stems, to build nests. Nests are commonly built on man-made structures such as the rafters of barns and sheds, or on the underside of bridges. Barn swallows may raise multiple broods in a season, with each containing an average of 3 to 7 eggs that typically hatch after around two weeks of incubation.

After about 18 to 27 days, the chicks will begin to leave the nest, or "fledge." Due to their unique feeding behavior, young aerial insectivores such as barn swallow fledglings need to learn how to capture prey while on the fly, which requires them to develop agile flight abilities. 

For several days after fledging, fledglings will continue to return to the nest while they develop their flight skills and learn to feed on their own. During this time, they may be spotted making short practice flights, perching on other structures around the nest, or even resting on the ground. Often, their parents are close by foraging for food and will periodically stop by to feed their young.