Soaring Beauties Facing Challenges

The cliff swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) is a familiar sight in our skies during the summer. These social birds, easily identified by their buffy rump and dark throat patch, were once abundant in the Thompson-Nicola. However, their populations have been steadily declining in recent decades, mirroring a trend seen across Canada.

Originally Cliff Dwellers, Now Adaptable Urbanites

While cliff swallows traditionally nested on cliff faces, they’ve readily adapted to human structures. Bridges, buildings, and even highway overpasses now serve as their homes, with the swallows constructing their distinctive mud nests under the eaves.

The decline in cliff swallow populations is concerning. The exact causes remain unclear, but several factors likely play a role:

• Reduced insect prey: Insecticides and habitat loss may be affecting the insect populations Cliff Swallows rely on for food.
• Climate change: Changes in weather patterns could be impacting insect availability or migration patterns.
• Competition: House sparrows, an invasive species in the Thompson-Nicola, may be outcompeting cliff swallows for nesting sites.

What You Can Do to Help

Here’s how you can contribute to the conservation of cliff swallows in Thompson-Nicola:

• Provide nesting sites:
  • Consider installing artificial nesting platforms or “nest boxes” designed for Cliff Swallows.
• Minimize pesticide use:
  • Opt for natural pest control methods to ensure a healthy insect population.
• Report sightings:
  • Help track local populations by reporting your sightings to eBird (ebird.org).

Learn More

• Ebird.org
• Wildlife Species Canada: Cliff Swallows