[obol] RE: V.G. Swallows abandoning nest

[Karen Anderson]

The swallows abandoning their near-fledglings are a mystery to me, but I
wonder about nests that are monitored and checked during chick rearing.
There are studies in some bird species demonstrating that a certain number
of nest disturbances will cause abandonment of the nest by the parents.  It
might seem that they are tolerating it, but they have their limit.
Aviculturists are familiar with nest disturbance causing unsettled behavior
and nest abandonment in captive birds.

 

Also, perhaps an unobserved predator spooked the parents badly enough to
leave the nests??  It seems odd to me that they would leave such advanced
chicks after all that investment.

 

Karen Anderson

Oregon Coast Aquarium

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