Where did Beijing Swift sleep during its migration?

Beijing Swift belongs to the Swift family of Nighthawk (formerly Swift), which is slightly larger than ordinary swallows, with dark brown feathers and white thin longitudinal stripes on the chest and abdomen. They are streamlined in shape and fly very fast. They are good insects and birds. From April to August every year, the swift in the whole city is still a scene. ?

1870, an Englishman named "Beijing Swift" collected its specimen for the second time in Beijing. But in the mouth of Beijingers, these "snobbish" birds have another name-Lou Yan.

Appearance characteristics

Swift's appearance is close to that of Yanke; Long wingtips and short feet. After landing, the wings are folded and the tip is longer than the tail.

Living habits

Swift is not good at walking because of its long wing tip and strong flying ability, but its feet are short. Agile birds usually prey on flying insects. It can climb rocks, mostly nesting in crevices of cliffs or deep eaves and tree holes.

Characteristics of swallows

1, Swallow (Swallow) Generally speaking, swallows belong to the genus 1 of passeriformes and Yanidae. This genus of birds is relatively small, with a body length of 13 ~ 18 cm. The wing tip is long and the tail is forked. The back feathers are mostly bluish black; Therefore, it was called the mysterious bird in ancient times; The wing tip is long and good at flying, the mouth is short and weak, and the mouth is wide, which is a typical mouth shape of insect-eating birds. Short feet and strong claws.

2. swift belongs to Swift family of Swifts. Although it is very similar to Araceae, it is a completely different order. Some species of swift use saliva to build nests on cliff tops or walls. These bird's nests have high economic value, that is, the "Bird's Nest".

Swallows usually breed from April to July. Domestic swallows nest under the eaves of farmhouses. The bird's nest is dish-shaped. Breeding 2 nests every year, mostly from May to early June and from mid-June to early July. Each nest lays 4 ~ 6 eggs. The second nest is less, 2 ~ 5 pieces. Eggs are milky white. Males and females hatch eggs together. 14- 15 days, chicks hatch and parents eat together. The chicks fly out in about 20 days, and then feed them for 5 ~ 6 days, so they can feed themselves. The food is full of insects.

Swallow is a typical migratory bird. After the breeding, the young birds still follow the adult activities; And gradually integrate large groups and go south for the winter before the arrival of the first cold wave, becoming a "nomadic nation" in the bird family. Swallows are birds that are beneficial to human beings. They mainly feed on mosquitoes, flies and other insects, and can eat 250,000 insects in a few months.