74. ~ Swallow ~

Swallows eat insects and they can catch them in midair. They have great powers of flight. They can soar quickly to great heights or skim the ground or the surface of the water. They have a short bill. Their wings, when expanded are very long, pointed and sickle, or scissor-shaped. Their plumage is quite glossy and almost waxy looking. They are the birds of summer passage. They have three toes pointing forward and one toe back. They make a nest out of mud. They build their nest very close to each other. They will attach their nest to rocks, rafters of buildings, or a wall of a house. When they fly, they can turn like an experienced jet pilot. Their wingspan is about eleven to thirteen inches (29 - 32 cm). The barn swallow has a chestnut underpart, especially the males. Swallows have a twitter and clicking sound. The ones with the longest and best tail feathers are highly sought after by the females. Swallows are about six to seven inches (15 - 19 cm) in length. An unmated male can become so jealous it will attack and kill the babies of another's family. Female swallows lay an average of five eggs. The males decide where the nest will be located, and they will reuse these locations and nests. The barn swallow is an attractive bird which lives to be four to eleven years of age. They are friendly and outgoing birds. The barn swallow is constantly on the go! Flying here and there. They are controversial birds, because they are liked by some and disliked by others. Personally, I like them!

Medicine:

Swallow medicine teaches us that not everyone we meet is going to approve of us. Swallows teach us to steer clear of jealousy, because the consequences are moderate to extremely damaging to everyone involved. Swallow medicine teaches us to be protective, but not to be overly protective. They teach us to take comfort in the familiar and to not always be searching for something new, or somewhere new to live. They remind us that the reason we return home each night is to be close to our families and that making time for them should be a great priority!