The
white nest swallow is a species of bird from the family Apodidae, of the genus
Aerodramus. This bird has the Latin name Aerodramus fuciphagus and is an
insectivorous animal.
Animals
that are included in this class of birds have an ability called echolocation,
like a bat. Echolocation itself is the ability to make a certain frequency of
sound intermittently and then recapture the reflection of the sound to
determine the distance and location of an object that reflects it.
Armed
with these abilities, make swallows and fly and hunt in dark places. When
flying and looking for food, the white swallow makes a "shrill" sound
that can be heard clearly by the human ear.
The
screeching sound is produced by the swallow's body organ located at the back of
the throat called the cyrinx. White swallow echolocation is not only used to
hunt prey and find nests, it is also used to communicate with each other and
give warnings to other swallows not to get close to the nest.
Just
like other types of swallows, white swallow birds can also produce nests that
are beneficial for skin health and beauty.
The
characteristics of the white swallow and their characteristics
In
essence, the characteristics of white swallow and other swallow are not too
much difference. The most prominent only in the body. So, what are the
characteristics and characteristics of the white swallow? Here is the
explanation:
1.
Body Size
The
body size of the white nest swallow is relatively small when compared to
others. White-nest swallow has a body measuring about 12 cm. In addition, this
bird also has a wingspan of up to 25 cm.
2. Body Color
Upper
body color is blackish brown. For Javanese white swallow, the color is pale
gray and for white swallow Sumatra, Kalimantan, the vestita race is dark brown.
His eyes are dark brown. Meanwhile, its legs and beak are black.
3. Wings
White
swallow wings have stiffer wings and are able to fly more strongly. Armed with
the wings it has, the white swallow can fly at speeds reaching 100 km / h to
150 km / h. Even in a day, this bird is able to continue flying non-stop.
4. Sense of Smell
White
swallow's nest bird has a very sharp sense of smell. In addition, this bird is
also very fond of fragrances. With this ability, it makes it easier for white
swallows to find food and find prey.
5. White Swallow's Nest
When
making a nest, the white swallow lays its saliva until it hardens. The saliva
is produced when it is dark and the swallow feels calm and comfortable. Even
this pure white nest can be consumed by humans.
Together
with his group, these white swallows nest seasonally, depending on the nesting
place that suits his choice. The nest produced by this swallow has a width of
6-10 cm and a weight of 6-9 grams.
Meanwhile,
the water content is relatively low, only no more than 10% due to controlled
microclimate conditions in the building. Apart from that, the shape is also
very nice and varied.
Its
shape is very dependent on the fin fitting system, the age of the swallow, and
the season and crop pattern. For the installation of the grid system, the
corner nest will be generated. Meanwhile, for transverse or longitudinal fins
it will produce a nest with an elongated shape like a boat or a bowl halved.
6. Reproduction
How
about the breeding of white nest swallow birds? On this subject, white swallow
breed twice a year. And usually occurs after the rainy season.
This
breeding season is marked by the large number of swallows chasing each other.
In addition, they also sing to attract the attention of the opposite sex. And
at that time, the insect population also increased.
White
swallows usually mate at night when they return to the cave or wherever they
live. However, sometimes this one bird also mates in the air very quickly and
can repeat up to 3 times.
After
mating, in a period of 5 - 8 days Swallow start laying eggs. The eggs are
elongated and have two white shells in 1 egg laying period.
The
period for the release of the first egg and the second egg is two to three days
apart. Next, these eggs will be incubated for 15-17 days until they finally
hatch into swallowlets.
After
hatching, the young swallow are taken care of by their mother for about 40 days
until they are ready to fly. Furthermore, the young swallow looks for food,
namely insects together with their mother and colony.
7. Foraging Habits
When
looking for food, this one bird is always together in the group. They return to
the nest when it is getting late or even just coming home at night. They prefer
to forage in high places such as trees rather than low places.
The
trees usually contain insects such as bees and wasps. In addition, this flying
animal also flies into the water to bathe and also to drink and then flies
again. Those are some of the habits that are often carried out by white
swallows.
8. Keeping Birds Clean
Do
you know? Unlike other birds, white swallow birds are known as clean-keeping
birds. In the nest you will not find any bird droppings.
Of
course this is very useful for these bird keepers who don't have to bother
cleaning them. Instinctively, since they have just hatched or when they are
still young, the birds will retreat to the lips of the nest to remove dirt,
then return to the middle of the nest.
Habitat
and Distribution of White Swallow
After
discussing its characteristics, now is the time for me to discuss where the
habitat or place of residence and the distribution of this white nest swallow.
This one animal
Many
are found in Southeast Asia. Besides that, this one bird also lives quite a lot
in South China
In
Indonesia alone, white swallow birds are found in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java,
Bali, Sulawesi, and also Nusa Tenggara. Spread at an altitude of 2800 meters
above sea level and spends a lot of time in the air.
When
not looking for food, the white swallow will put its nest in the crevices of
the cave and the walls of the cave ceiling. In addition, this bird also makes
nests in gaps in the rock to protect it from bad predators.
