Tree Swallow - Brood Patch? (1 Viewer)

pjcidgy

Well-known member

• May 10, 2011

• #1

Hi - as I posted on my gallery pic, we've recently had a couple of tree swallows take up residence in one of our birdhouses. When taking photos, I noticed something on the front breast area of one of the swallows and am wondering if it is a brood patch. Can someone help? Thanks, PJC

 

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fugl

Well-known member

• May 10, 2011

• #2

pjcidgy said:

Hi - as I posted on my gallery pic, we've recently had a couple of tree swallows take up residence in one of our birdhouses. When taking photos, I noticed something on the front breast area of one of the swallows and am wondering if it is a brood patch. Can someone help? Thanks, PJC

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No, it marks the line of the bare area between the 2 halves of the ventral feather tract (the "ventral apterium"). The incubation patch, when present, is lower down & is normally concealed (I think this is right) by the surrounding feathering.

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• May 10, 2011

• #3

The few examples I have seen (birds in the hand) have had feathers cover the blood patch that however is easy to see if ruffing the feathers of the area a little.

Niels

 

pjcidgy

Well-known member

• May 11, 2011

• #4

I've only noticed this on one of the birds so that's why I was curious. Thanks both of you for the information!