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There’s Nothing Like A Good Stretch

By: 54 Comments

There’s Nothing Like A Good Stretch

Every year, for the past I don’t know how many years we have had swallows nesting around the house. I could spend hours sitting out on the balcony watching them go about their business, but alas I do not have the time. That doesn’t mean I don’t sit out there a little while, with my camera at hand.

Swallows are busy little birds and very vocal too. I love the way pairs work together building the nest and raising their brood. They chitter and chatter to one another constantly and have some very definite calls. First thing in the morning they chitter. There is a chatter that seems to be one swallow calling to the other one to come. Their alarm call is quite distinct too.

One thing I have yet to work out is how to recognise each bird’s gender. I am no bird expert, but I do know that the male birds are usually the brightly coloured pretty ones, and the females can be quite drab. When it comes to the swallows they are so similar I have no idea which is which. If anyone has any idea how to spot the different genders I would love to know!

And that brings me to my Sunday photo or three.

My Sunday Photos

A good stretch

a good stretch

After a busy day, there really is nothing like a good stretch.

Swallow

And relax.

Do you know how to tell a female swallow from a male? I’d love to know!
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Can you tell a male swallow from a female? I’d love to know!

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Comments

    • 32

      Hi Tamara, over here they are quite distinct birds. We do get house martins too, that could be confused for a swallow, but they have much shorter tails and have a different colouring. Up in the hills there is a better variety of birds, unfortunately the 'hunters' like to shoot them too! Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 34

      Hi Merlinda, it is a pleasure having them around. It's amazing to think how far they travel during their migration! Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 36

      Hi Sarah, thank you. My Dad was a bit of a bird watcher and encouraged us to learn, although I have forgotten much of what he taught us. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 38

      Hi, I do too, it's my favourite time of the day. Peace and quiet with just the sound of the birds for company! Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 40

      Hi Jen, watching the swallows is one of my favourite waste of time. It's procrastinating at it's best. I've been informed that the males have longer tails, which I could checkout on Google. There maybe an easier way to tell too. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 42

      Hi Louise, they are fun little birds to watch and could teach us a thing or two about team work! I've been told that the male bird has a slightly longer tail, so I'll be looking out for that. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
  7. 43

    What a beautiful bird. And it is so cool that you know their sounds. My little guy has a bird feeder that he dutifully keeps full. We enjoy watching the birds come and go and we certainly don't want to have sad birds with no food. We really should try to learn a bit more about our guests! Carlee recently posted...Easy Family Meal Plan Week 22My Profile
    Reply
    • 44

      Hi Carlee, my Dad was ( and still is) an avid bird watcher and growing up we had a bird table the size of a helicopter landing pad. I have forgotten a lot of what he taught me but do enjoy watching birds. It's great that your little guy likes to feed the birds, hungry birds certainly aren't happy birds! Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 46

      Hi Tracey, thank you. My camera phone is really bad too. I took this with my big girls camera, with a zoom lens which meant I didn't have to get too close. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 50

      Hi Emma, thank you. I know when they turn up that the better weather is here to stay. This year they turned up almost a month later than normal and we have had quite a nasty winter. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 58

      Hi Jeanna, their feathers are so sleek it enhances the colour of them. Apparently the males have a slightly longer tail, but it's not so very obvious. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
  15. 59

    I don't have a clue how to tell the difference but I do know that I don't want them building nests on my home. We work hard every spring to make sure they don't set up nests. Nasty little buggers. You're right, nothing is as good as a good stretch. Have a fabulous day. ☺ Sandee recently posted...Silly SundayMy Profile
    Reply
    • 60

      Hi Sandee, apparently Cheryl has mentioned that the males have slightly longer tails, so I will be out measuring them now! I've never minded them nesting here, in fact if they didn't I would miss them. I've not noticed them as being nasty, but I'll be on the lookout from now on! Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 64

      Hi Lins, I spend a lot of time watching them and they are very elegant and intelligent little birds. To be honest I'm sure the little birds are watching me as much as I am them! xx
      Reply
    • 68

      Hi Cheryl, you're the first person to share this knowledge. I will be taking note from now on... I'll be the crazy lady stalking swallows whist armed with a tape measure! Thank you for stopping by and sharing your knowledge! xx
      Reply
    • 74

      Hi Catherine, one week on and I still don't! Oooo I hadn't noticed. Wells potted on your part though! Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 76

      Hi Fiona, the tails on the swallows we saw in South Africa seemed much longer, but I think these European (?) swallows have reason to be proud too. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 78

      Hi Anne, I bet an expert would be able to tell you, but I don't know any. I think it maybe time to turn to good old Google for the answer! Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 80

      Hi Nat, I can sit and watch the swallows for ages and they aren't bothered by us in the least and even flutter into the house. The other day we had to carefully escort a swallow out of our bathroom. I bet an expert could spot the difference in the genders. Thank you for popping by. xx
      Reply
    • 82

      Hi Tara, it is lovely. I start looking out for them from mid February, and get so excited when I see the first one arrive, which is soon joined by it's partner. This year they arrived late and we've yet to see any signs of babies. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
  27. 83

    Alas, I'd have no idea how to tell male and female but I do love these images. I find it very difficult to photograph birds so you've done well and I love the fact you can actually see the swallow stretching. Love the blue background as well.
    Reply
    • 84

      Hi John, believe me, I did take plenty of photos that weren't so good too! I'll never get sick of seeing the blue of a Greek sky, it seems far bluer than a UK blue sky. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply

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