Close neighbors - Cliff swallow

Collection

American cliff swallows collect mud pellets for their nests along the shallow muddy margins of a pond. 

Construction

A male transports the mud in his bill back to his nest and adds it to the lip on the walls of the slowly forming cup-shaped structure.

Production

Many cliff swallows have built their nests on the underside of the bridge. All birds within the colony are at the same stage of breeding.

Protection

Juveniles from many colonies form a protective crèche and gather along a telephone wire, anxiously awaiting their parents’ return.