Stupid kittens at my barn snatched momma bird last night. By the time I got her she was dead. Dad has been hanging around and dive bombs the birds like mom did (that’s how they got her). The babies are fairly far along but don’t have all of their flight feathers yet. Will dad feed them? I’m assuming so and hoping the answer is yes!
Yes - with swallows, both parents perform feeding duties. Obviously it becomes more difficult when only one parent has to take over the chores since the bird has to catch enough insects to feed itself plus keep the young going. But I’m sure this isn’t the first time one parent has had to pick up the slack. It does probably help that the babies are fairly far along & will fledge soon.
Awesome! I’m worried that most of the babies are going to get snatched when they first try to fly anyway.
Sigh 
They must be able to flutter a bit, because one of them has been living on a cover over a light about 3" up from the nest for a new days. There are lots of bugs, so dad shouldn’t have too hard of a time finding food. He was so distraught last night
Swallows are a big time family bird. Sometimes, siblings from the previous hatch will help take care of the newest babies…so cute!
[QUOTE=CrowneDragon;7051466]
Awesome! I’m worried that most of the babies are going to get snatched when they first try to fly anyway.
Sigh
They must be able to flutter a bit, because one of them has been living on a cover over a light about 3" up from the nest for a new days. There are lots of bugs, so dad shouldn’t have too hard of a time finding food. He was so distraught last night :([/QUOTE]
Unfortunately, getting snatched when they first fledge is a real possibility for ALL baby birds. It can take them several days to get their sea legs - or sea wings, that should be - & during that time, they’re at their most vulnerable. It’s sad, but the way of the natural world.
Luckily, birds that traditionally spend their adult lives off the ground - swallows, flycatchers, warblers, etc., etc. - seem to spend the very least amount of time on the ground as fledglings, unlike birds like Robins, Starlings, etc., etc. So your little guys may end up just fine.
The issue is there are 6 kittens and 1 adult cat that spend the entirety of their day on the aisle under the nest or in the rafters nosing around. If the babies get within 18" of the ground they are gone. I have thought about setting up something suspended under the nest to catch them but don’t know how much it will help.
The kittens and cat moved in after the birds had laid the eggs. I doubt they’ll be back. They all have been so stressed-out about the cats.
