violet-green swallow
Posted by Jennie Sue Dunn-Dixon on July 18, 2008
Q: The violet-green swallows did not return this year to our home along the edge of the Northern Willamette Valley. Any clue why?
State: Oregon
Habitat: field/meadow
A: Such a beautiful bird! There are a host of reasonable answers to your question. Not knowing your immediate area and any changes that may have occurred there, I can't address anything specifically but I can give you some possible reasons. My first thought is that the individuals you had last year didn't live so never returned. Most kinds of birds don't have long lives, even under the best of conditions. Another very likely reason is that environmental changes in your area have had a negative impact on the species. Violet-green Swallows are hole nesters so need appropriate sites for their nests - no nesting sites, no birds! Also agricultural practices (herbicides and pesticides and habitat changes) can have very negative impact on birds and may be playing a part in their disappearance. And then there's the fact that migratory species are at the mercy of dangers enroute to and from plus dangers and habitat loss on their wintering grounds. When you think about it, it's a wonder any of our birds make it from year to year!
Wish I could give you a better answer. I'd suggest contacting a bird group in your area and they may be able to give you a reason based on your local conditions. Thanks for asking .
John Wiessinger ( July 18, 2008)