{"id":4376,"date":"2020-11-26T21:02:37","date_gmt":"2020-11-26T21:02:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/?p=4376"},"modified":"2020-12-01T00:07:56","modified_gmt":"2020-12-01T00:07:56","slug":"__trashed-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/2020\/11\/26\/__trashed-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Aerial Acrobats of the Avian World: Violet-green Swallow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
A male Violet-green Swallow perching on a branch. Photo by Daniel Irons<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

PART I: INTRODUCTION TO VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

DESCRIPTION AND IDENTIFICATION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina<\/em>) is a relatively small passerine that belongs to the swallow family Hirundinidae. As their name would suggest, these beautiful aerial acrobats have a magnificent purple and green plumage. Starting at the back of their head and the superior portion of the wings, T. thalassina <\/em>has a gleaning iridescent green that travels down the back where it meets and blends into a brilliant violet colour. They have a bright white wrapping around the eye that trails to the cheeks and the birds’ underside down to the rump. When in flight and occasionally seen while perching, white saddlebags are seen (eBird<\/a>). The brilliant purple and green colours are not well seen in low lighting; they show up as relatively dark coloured birds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Violet-green
Male Violet-green Swallow. Photo by David Disher<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Both the females and juveniles show a duller, almost dusty version of the described above; females tend to have a drab brown cap and lack the bright white cheeks (All About Birds<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Violet-green
Female Violet-green Swallow. Photo by Joshua D. Vandermeulen<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Violet-green
Immature Violet-green Swallow in flight. Note the dusty cheeks and cap, as well as the white saddlebags. Photo by Brian Sullivan<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

T. thalassina <\/em>can be identified while in flight by its long wings, short and square tail, small rounded body and head, and tiny bill (All About Birds<\/a>). Both sexes weigh in at around 0.5 oz (14 g), have a wingspan of approximately 10.6 in (27 cm), and a body length of 4.7 in (12 cm) (All About Birds<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Group of Violet-green Swallows in air. Note the long wings, squared tail, and tiny bill. Photo by Jace Walker<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

VOCALIZATIONS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Violet-green Swallows obviously live up to the name when it comes to plumage; however, when it comes to being members of songbird grouping, they lack the elaborate flair that many of its relatives possess. Instead, they remain relatively quiet throughout the day and reserve their calls for the day’s early and pre-dawn hours. Both their songs and calls are relatively simple; a series of chirps and twittering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Male Violet-green Swallow presumably calling. Perhaps making their usual chee-chee<\/em>. Photo by Noel Lee<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Song of Violet-green Swallow. Audio by John Neville<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n