Violet-green
Swallow
Photograph
Nikon 500mm f4 P with 1.4x
teleconverter, making it
effectively a 700mm f5.6.
Peter
LaTourrette
1989
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Tree
Swallow
Photograph
Fujichrome Velvia
Nikon 500mm f4 P with 1.4x
teleconverter, making it
effectively a 700mm f5.6.
Peter
LaTourrette
1994
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Well-seen adult
Violet-green and Tree Swallows are easily
differentiated.
With the
Violet-green Swallow the white on the cheek extends
above the eye and the white flank patches extend to
the sides of the rump in contrast to the Tree
Swallow which shares neither of these
characteristics.
On juveniles these
marks are not easily seen, making identification
more difficult. One can often identify juveniles by
noting the adults from which they seek food.
Stanford Note:
Although photographed at the Jasper Ridge
Biological Preserve, these birds are readily seen
at the Dish and at Lake Lagunita. In flight, Tree
Swallow climb with several rapid wing beats and
periodic glides while the smaller Violet-green
glides less and flaps more quickly. While tending
nestlings, these aerial foragers make about 350
feeding visits for a brood of five, bringing up to
8,000 insects.
For additional photographs of Jasper Ridge birds
see: .................http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/birdlist.html#jasper
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