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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ken Hall" data-source="post: 1884507" data-attributes="member: 26204">I have always believed that when Swallows appear to be scooping up water from the surface of a pond or river, they are actually catching insects.  These insects are in the process of, or have hatched out and will be in or under the surface film, or resting on the surface.  Since Swallows feed almost exclusively on insects they have no need to drink, getting all the liquids they need from their food.  If you watch carefully you will see that they are feeding in this manner time and time again.  The insects they are catching are tiny, too small to be seen by us, unless at very close range, and will consist of mayflies, mosquitos and their larvae. If they were taking in water, they would be doing so far more than necessary.  On occasion too, they may be wetting their feathers, for the same reason as many other birds bathe in a puddle (Swallows are not suited to life on the ground) namely to rid their feathers of parasites.In a way this behaviour is similar to birds such as Black-headed and Little Gulls "pond dipping".  They too are picking up insects from the water surface.</blockquote>