Skip to main content
MPG North

MPG North

Protecting Open Space for Future Generations

Search form

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Staff
    • Contact Us
  • Multimedia
    • Wildlife Camera Feed
    • Searchable Wildlife Cams
    • Photography
    • Videos
    • Live Video Feed
  • Reports
    • Field Notes
    • Research
    • Blog
    • Species Accounts

Tree Swallow Response to Habitat Quality

Allison M. Bernhisel shares a research update examining how habitat quality influences Tree Swallow health.  

071516_AB-1.jpeg

This summer, we partnered with researchers from the University of Montana to measure the health and reproductive success of birds at MPG North.

071516_AB-2.jpeg

By studying the health and reproductive success of birds, we can learn whether our restoration work has translated into habitat improvements that benefit wildlife.

071516_AB-3.jpeg

Dr. Creagh Breuner (above) leads the Tree Swallow research.

071516_AB-4.jpeg

Dr. Breuner measures nest success by observing how many nests are built and how long birds take to build them. Then, she counts and weighs the offspring and determines how many of the young survive until they can fly on their own.

071516_AB-5.jpeg

Seven eggs began hatching on June 18 (A). Within five days, hatching had ceased and nestlings began begging for food (B).

071516_AB-6.jpeg

Dr. Breuner collected these one-day old nestlings from their nest box. She then measured, marked, and returned them to their nest.

071516_AB-7.jpeg

Nestlings develop rapidly. These 12-day old nestlings, though covered with more feathers and fat, are still blind and will depend on their parents for a few more days.

071516_AB-8.jpeg

We found 18 attempted nests this summer, 14 of them with eggs and/or nestlings. One of the two abandoned nests failed early and a pair of Tree Swallows—potentially the same pair—built a new nest on top of it.

071516_AB-9.jpeg

Once the young can stay warm on their own (at about 15 days), Dr. Breuner captures the parents to evaluate their health.

071516_AB-10.jpeg

Dr. Breuner will continue collecting data until the last nestlings leave their nest.

071516_AB-11.jpeg

ee Swallows are not the only critters using the nest boxes. Here, a red squirrel pokes its head out for a quick gander.

071516_AB-12.jpeg

A Mountain Chickadee also took advantage of an available nest box.

071516_AB-13.jpeg

citation
  • Aquatic
  • Deciduous Woodlands
  • Grassland or Open
  • Mixed Conifer

Location(s): 

  • Entrance Meadow
  • Home Pond

Tags: 

  • tree swallow
  • Entrance Meadow Restoration
  • Wildlife Monitoring

Related

  • Cooney Creek Wildlife - White-tail Deer Rut
  • 06-28-16 Field Note
  • Field update for 05/25/2015 - 06/18/2015

Photos

Nestlings develop rapidly. These 12-day old nestlings, though covered with more feathers and fat, are still blind and will depend on their parents for a few more days.
A Mountain Chickadee also took advantage of an available nest box.
By studying the health and reproductive success of birds, we can learn whether our restoration work has translated into habitat improvements that benefit wildlife.

Videos

Mustelid

100114 KF mustelid

Red Squirrel Mating

042315_AB_Sciurius_vulgaris_Red_squirrel_mating

Red Fox Rubs Post

122761544

About MPG North

Established in 2005, the property boundary at MPG North encloses 200 undeveloped acres in Western Montana’s Swan Valley. Researchers and field staff manage the property to improve habitat quality for wildlife, discover new ways to restore damaged landscapes and study forest ecology. We also create opportunities to share what we've learned with local conservation organizations, students of all ages, management agencies and volunteers. Through these education and outreach efforts, we seek to inspire others to work together and protect undeveloped landscapes.