Cliff Swallows are small, migratory songbirds that build gourd-shaped mud nests on vertical surfaces like cliffs or the sides of buildings. They are very social birds that nest in large colonies. Baby Cliff Swallows hatch in the summer and require attentive care by their parents for the first few weeks of life. If you find an abandoned baby Cliff Swallow, taking proper care of it can be challenging but rewarding. With some basic knowledge of their needs, you can raise the chick to fledging.
What do baby Cliff Swallows eat?
Baby Cliff Swallows are fed by their parents. In the wild, the diet of a nestling Cliff Swallow consists mainly of insects like flies, moths, beetles, and aphids. The parents capture insects in flight and bring them back to the nest to feed the chicks.
If you are hand-raising an orphaned Cliff Swallow, you will need to replicate this diet as closely as possible. Crickets, mealworms, and waxworms can act as substitutes for wild insects. These can be chopped into bite-sized pieces and fed to the chick every 1-2 hours from sunrise to sunset. Supplementing with a powdered insectivore diet formulated for young insect-eating birds can help provide the nutrients they need.
To feed the chick, use tweezers to offer small pieces of food directly into its mouth. Make sure the baby swallow eats and digests each morsel before feeding more. Feed until the chick’s crop (the pouch in its neck) feels full but not tight.
How to hydrate baby Cliff Swallows
In addition to insects, nestling Cliff Swallows get most of the water they need from the juices in the food they are fed. But some additional fluids can help them thrive. After every 3-4 feedings, use an eyedropper to give the chick a few drops of water with electrolyte solution specially formulated for birds. Never give them plain water.
Signs of dehydration include wrinkled, tenting skin, sunken eyes, and a “concave” abdomen. If you notice these, give electrolyte fluid right away and continue to monitor water intake carefully.
Keeping baby Cliff Swallows warm
Baby birds cannot regulate their own body heat. Cliff Swallow chicks rely on the warmth of their nest and their siblings huddled close together. To replicate this environment for an orphan, you will need an incubator or brooder set at 86-90°F. Place the chick in a small basket or box lined with soft cloth for good footing.
Monitor the temperature closely, adjusting it down slightly each week as the chick grows. If the baby feels cool to the touch, increase the heat. Panting, gaping, or holding wings away from body are signs of overheating. Never let the chick get chilled or overheated.
Housing for baby Cliff Swallows
In the nest, baby Cliff Swallows have virtually no room to move around. Recreate this snug environment by keeping the chick in a small box or basket when not feeding. Place soft cloths and small towels in the container to cradle the baby.
Make sure the housing is escape-proof by covering it with a breathable cloth or close-weave mesh. Never use wire or netting with large openings that could trap and injure the rapidly growing chick. Keep the housing very clean and dry to prevent dangerous fungal or bacterial infections.
Caring for baby Cliff Swallows’ skin and eyes
The naked, pink skin of nestling Cliff Swallows is very delicate. Use a cotton ball or soft cloth dabbed in warm water to gently clean away any droppings or regurgitated food from around the eyes, nose, and vent. Take care not to get the downy coat wet.
Eyes may stay sealed shut for the first week. Carefully clean any discharge daily with warm water on a cotton ball. Avoid rubbing the eyes. If they aren’t open after 10 days, consult a wildlife rehabilitator. Once open, bright lighting can damage the chick’s sensitive eyes, so minimize direct light in the brooder.
Fostering baby Cliff Swallows
Hand-raising Cliff Swallow chicks is very labor intensive. If possible, foster orphaned chicks to wild nests with babies of a similar age. Use a straw or tube to place the chick in a nest when the parents are away. Be sure to observe discreetly from a distance to ensure the foster parents accept the additional chick.
Fostering provides proper diet, housing, temperature regulation, and socialization with clutch-mates. It greatly improves the orphan’s chances of successful development and release back into the wild.
Weaning and fledging baby Cliff Swallows
In the wild, baby Cliff Swallows are fed by their parents until they leave the nest at 20-25 days old. To replicate natural weaning for hand-raised chicks, slowly reduce feeding frequency and begin offering live insects like crickets after 3 weeks. Chicks may start fluttering wings and peering out of the nest at this age.
Once the orphan can catch insects on its own, move it to a larger enclosure. Provide perches, hiding spots, and nesting materials to hone survival skills. Only release the fledgling once it is consistently capable of flight, usually around 28 days old. Choose a location with abundant, accessible insects near other swallows.
Common issues in baby Cliff Swallows
Raising orphaned Cliff Swallow chicks has many challenges. Here are some common problems and how to address them:
Impaction: Swallow chicks fed too little fluid or too much hard-bodied food may suffer gastrointestinal impaction. This can be fatal if not treated promptly. Signs include loss of appetite, lethargy, and abdominal swelling. Consult an avian vet, increase fluids, and massage the crop gently to relieve the obstruction.
Infections: Bacterial and fungal infections often afflict baby birds. Symptoms of illness include fluffed-up feathers, discharge from eyes/nose, wheezing or coughing, and diarrhea. Seek veterinary care, keep the chick warm, and administer antibiotics as prescribed. Strict hygiene helps prevent infections.
Injuries: Nestling swallows may suffer wounds from nest-mates, parents, or bad falls. Provide first-aid, isolate injured chicks, and get veterinary care for any severe or persistent wounds.
Nutritional deficiencies: Poor diet can cause stunted growth, weakness, bone deformities, and other issues. Ensure the chick gets sufficient calcium and proper ratios of vitamins A, D3, and E. Consult wildlife rehabilitators or avian vets on optimal nutrition.
With attentive, diligent care following proper procedures, an orphaned baby Cliff Swallow stands a good chance of fledging successfully. While challenging, rearing rescued chicks is very rewarding!
Conclusion
Caring for abandoned baby Cliff Swallows requires replicating the diet, housing, temperature, hydration, and care that parent swallows provide expertly in the wild. Pay close attention to each chick’s specific needs and get help from wildlife experts when necessary. With adequate insects, proper supplements, safe housing, veterinary oversight, and 24/7 nurturing, orphaned swallows can fledge and potentially return to the wild. While not easy, hand-raising Cliff Swallow chicks can give the birds a second chance at life.
