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About Roger Lederer
Expertise
Any and all about wild birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience
Have a PhD and thirty eight years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, two bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 80 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD

You are here: Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Birding/Wild Birds > Birding > Barn Swallows

Birding - Barn Swallows

Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/29/2009

Question
I have a pair of barn swallows nesting under the eve on my front porch. When
the temps rise in Summer I notice them panting or what looks it. Last
Summer during a heat spell I had 2 swallow babies die. I put a fine mister
near the nest and the other 2 babies survived. It is now getting hot again and
I think the babies are due any day. Is it ok to mist the nest? The mother bird
is sitting on the edge of the nest looking heat stressed with her mouth open.

Answer
It is ok to mist the nest once in awhile. Just be sure not to disturb them any more than is absolutely necessary.Birds do not have sweat glands so the only way they can lose body heat is to pant with their mouth open. This does not necessarily mean they are heat-stressed, though.

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