As summer draws to a close, bluebirds and swallows battle over their respective territories, often fighting each other directly as they compete for the same nesting sites The result is damaged flight feathers, tossed eggs, and destroyed young The problem can be avoided with a few simple steps, however, that will allow bluebirds to share space with swallows while maximizing the success of both species
 
 The key to creating a tree swallow house is to have enough room for all three birds The ideal birdhouse is at least 15 inches high, and the entrance hole should be 1 1/2 " in diameter for both bluebirds and black-capped chickadees The best location for a swallow house is out in the open, with a good view of the site It should also be far enough away from woods, hedgerows, fences, and ditches to minimize competition with other cavity-nesting species
 
 In addition, the bottom of the box should be flat so that swallows can perch on it while feeding Finally, the box should be securely mounted Some boxes come with a hook for this purpose, but it is better to use a metal hanger that can be secured to a wooden post or other suitable surface
 
 Once the swallows are in place, you can watch the spectacle unfold as they swoop and dive, catching insects in mid-air They may even eat mosquitoes, an important benefit in areas that are heavily infested with these pests
 
 After a few weeks, the female will lay her first eggs, which are pale pink at first and turn white shortly after hatching The female will incubate the eggs for about 11-20 days After the chicks are hatched, the male and female will add a few more feathers to their wings, and then begin to feed them
 
 Unlike other swallows, Tree Swallows can eat plant foods as well as insect prey Therefore, they will be more successful at attracting chicks to your property if you have plant sources such as grasses and seeds nearby
 
 In the fall, migrating Tree Swallows gather in huge flocks of hundreds of thousands to roost for the night During the day they will fly together in smaller groups At sunset, the larger flocks will re-gather, swirling in the air like a living tornado before descending on a cattail marsh or small grove of trees to roost for the night
 
 Because they are long-distance migrants, you should be prepared to move the swallow houses to new locations each year as they migrate This is a simple procedure, and it will help ensure that more swallows make it to their winter homes than die of starvation and predation along the way  https//nestvuicom/1-lang-yen-bao-nhieu-tien/  of swallow houses is the only thing that can guarantee successful breeding season after year