“Blue Angels” of Carillon Stonegate Pond

It’s a daily occurrence on Carillon Stonegate Pond and with aerial shows several times each day.

These birds are Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor).

They soar over the ponds in large groups - typically from eight to a dozen or more. They move swiftly and with great agility - avoiding each other as they search for food on the pond’s surface. They are acrobatic in their flight maneuvers - and with a deep blue coloring on their backs and white fronts, they are the avian version of the Navy’s Blue Angels.

While the Tree Swallow is primarily seen in open, treeless areas such as Carillon Stonegate Pond, it nests in tree cavities; hence, its name. They chase after flying insects - gliding fast and furious, low over the surface of the water, twisting and turning with great ability. As they perform these amazing acrobatics, their blue feathers gleam in the sunlight. Truly a sight to observe.

The Tree Swallow is a migratory bird. According to Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Tree Swallows begin migrating south in July and August. They fly during the day and roost in large flocks at night. The migration of our Midwestern flocks generally follow the Mississippi River southward.

For more information about our Tree Swallows, follow this link: Tree Swallows from Cornell Lab of Ornithology or this link: Tree Swallows from National Audubon Society.

Here is a photo of a Tree Swallow courtesy of the National Audubon Society: