The earliest of the spring migrants, birds returning from Central and South America, include a few birds of the swallow family. Purple Martins, Tree, Barn, Cliff, and Rough-winged swallows are some of the earliest to return to middle TN. A recent outing on the Harpeth River revealed several Cliff swallows feeding over the water and flying up and straight into the amazing gourd-like mud nest they build on bridges.
Cliff Swallows have broad, pointed wings, a metallic dark blue back, pale cinnamon colored rumps, and rusty brown faces with a white patch on the forehead.
Like Barn swallows and Purple Martins these birds are colony nesters and it is normal to see hundreds of these structures clustered together. Over 3,000 nests have been seen in one place. When young Cliff Swallows leave their nests they congregate in large groups called creches. A pair of swallows can find its own young in the creche primarily by voice.
Obviously, they are very social, not only in their nesting habits but feeding as well. You may see hundreds of these birds feeding together when a particularly good swarm of insects presents itself. In fact, if a Cliff swallow finds a good source of flying insects it has a specific call to alert the others.
To find this bird look at any bridges crossing the Harpeth River. There’s a good chance you will see these busy little birds feeding and coming and going from their amazing nest structures.