AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Breeding Biology and Natural History of the Bahama Swallow

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1996
Authors:Allen, PE
Journal:The Wilson Bulletin
Volume:108
Issue:3
Date Published:1996
ISBN Number:00435643
Keywords:Bahamas, Callichelidon, Callichelidon cyaneoviridis, Hirundinidae, Hirundo, Hirundo rustica, Tachycineta, Tachycineta bicolor, Tachycineta cyaneoviridis
Abstract:The Bahama Swallow (Tachycineta cyaneoviridis) is an obligate secondary cavity-nester endemic to the pine forests of four islands in the northern Bahamas. The near-threatened status of this poorly known species stems from the limited extent of pine forest breeding habitat, a history of logging in that habitat, and potential competition from exotic secondary cavity-nesters. Natural nest sites of Bahama Swallows on Grand Bahama generally were abandoned woodpecker cavities and nests in all types of cavities were built from pine needles, Casuarina spp. twigs, and grass. Mean clutch size was 3.0 and the pure white eggs were slightly larger than those of Tree Swallows (T. bicolor). Both the mean incubation and nestling periods, 15.8 days and 22.7 days, respectively, were longer than those of Tree Swallows. Hatching success and nestling success were 87% and 81%, respectively, giving an overall success rate of 70%. One case of double-brooding was documented, and two other likely cases were noted. Weekly surveys of adults in pine forest habitat on Grand Bahama during breeding gave a linear density of 0.18-0.25 $\text{pairs-km}^{-1}$ . The result from a single survey on Andros (0.21 $\text{pairs-km}^{-1}$ ) corresponds to survey results on Grand Bahama in the same period and very roughly agrees with the outcome of a 1988 survey.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/4163715
Short Title:The Wilson Bulletin
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