As a beneficial bird that is beneficial to humans, swallows have been concerned and loved by people since ancient times. "In the old days, the swallows in front of Wang Xietang flew into the homes of ordinary people," "A few early orioles competed in the warm trees, and in whose house the new swallows pecked the spring mud" and other popular poems, using swallows as sustenance, fully express the hope and vision for life and beautiful things. .
For those who have lived in rural areas, many of them have probably seen swallows entering the house and building nests. However, swallows do not build nests casually. Just like humans choose housing, not all locations will be satisfactory. . So, how do swallows make judgments when choosing a house to build a nest?
As a typical migratory bird, swallows gradually begin their long-distance migration from north to south starting in October in northern my country. , fly to southern my country and even South Asia and other high-temperature areas to spend the winter. When the weather gradually warms up in the north in February next year, it will gradually return from the south. Finally, in April, it will basically spread all over the north and south of the Yangtze River. Then it will enter the breeding period. The young birds will slowly grow up under the nourishment of the adult birds and follow the activities of the adult birds. Complete the growth of the population and the replacement of old and new individuals.
For swallows in the north, the nests are mainly used for breeding young and for individuals to rest; while for swallows in the south, the function of the nests is relatively simple and is usually only used for individuals to rest. However, no matter where the swallow's nest is built, it must meet the most basic conditions, which is to provide a safe, comfortable, quiet place with sufficient food sources around it. Therefore, for the two types of swallows that are most closely related to humans - barn swallows and golden-rumped swallows - their top priority is the corners inside the house and under the eaves.
The ancients often said that there is no scientific reason for swallows not to enter the door of a poor family. Swallows do not have the ability to judge whether a family is rich or not. They can only judge the wealth of a family based on the structure and existing conditions of the house. , to determine whether the most basic conditions mentioned just now are met: safety, comfort, quietness, and sufficient food sources around.
From a safety point of view,
The corners of the house and under the eaves are ideal shelters, which are basically not subject to strong wind and rain. , and will not be exposed to the sun. In addition, the number of natural enemies in these places is very small, and it is not easy to be discovered by natural enemies.
From a comfort point of view,
there are generally no major pollution problems in and around rural houses. There is no strong light or irritating gas. There are no toxic or harmful substances. In addition, the house itself will have a certain insulation function, so the temperature of the swallow's nest will be greatly guaranteed.
From a quiet point of view,
Swallows are quiet animals, especially during the breeding period, during egg laying, hatching, feeding and resting periods. They do not like noisy environments, otherwise they are not conducive to the growth of larvae and the health of adults. Generally speaking, the probability of being disturbed by noise inside the house and under the eaves is small.
From the perspective of food sources,
There are usually patches of woods and fields around rural houses, where there are a large number of insects for swallows to capture and eat. Such as mosquitoes, flies, caterpillars, etc., swallows do not need to fly far to catch food in a short period of time, which is of great significance for quickly replenishing body energy and efficiently feeding young birds.
Although rural houses meet Yanzi’s selection criteria, not all houses and families meet Yanzi’s site selection conditions. In a sense, Yanzi is still relatively good at settling down. Picky.
For example, do not choose if the yard is messy or the house is damp; it will be uncomfortable to live in; generally do not choose if there are big trees in the yard or at the door, because it is very inconvenient to fly in and out; the owner of the house does not like it. Birds and those who are accustomed to using things to disturb and drive away swallows must not choose, and their own safety will be greatly threatened; houses that often carry out gatherings and entertainment activities, have powerful electrical appliances and instruments, and are surrounded by gas, water pollution or noise Yanzi will not consider factories or workshops. In addition, swallows usually do not choose houses that are far away from woods or fields, and often spray alcohol and pesticides in woods and fields. Even if they reluctantly build a nest, they will leave soon.
Therefore, the ancients regarded swallows coming to build nests as a good sign, which was essentially people's spiritual sustenance and good hope for swallows, a beneficial bird. Swallows choose a nesting house entirely out of instinct, a natural judgment made from the perspective of safety, comfort, and the survival and development of individuals and young birds. However, the houses chosen by swallows to build their nests are generally clean, tidy, quiet and peaceful, and the owners of the houses are usually calm and kind to others.