Photo by Dave Menke, USFWS.
PSBO is partnering with the Woodland Park Zoo to support their ongoing study of nesting barn swallows on zoo grounds. Since 1999, keepers, volunteers and federally licensed bird banders, have conducted a barn swallow study at the zoo to determine site fidelity and reproductive success. Each summer after the birds are nesting and feeding young, the adults and nestlings are banded with silver numbered bands that individually identify them. Because of this study and other research, we know the adult birds exhibit site fidelity; they return to the same structure and often the same nest as they did the previous year. The birds fly thousands of miles to and from their wintering grounds and end up at the same animal exhibit.
Learn more about the project
Barn Swallow Project Volunteers
Barn Swallow Bander
Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle
Weekly responsibilities with varying time commitments; May-September, annually
Volunteer tasks: Enjoy banding charismatic barn swallows and their nestlings on zoo grounds, no early rising required! The Woodland Park Zoo needs one or two committed and experienced banders to help manage a unique study of barn swallows nesting on zoo grounds. This position is ideal for someone who lives near the zoo and can make short but fairly frequent visits during nesting season. Tasks include:
- Monitoring nesting barn swallows on zoo grounds
- Collecting written observations throughout nesting cycle
- Banding adult swallows and nestlings
- Communicating with zookeepers regarding banding efforts and observations
- Sharing observations and banding data with other site managers and volunteers in a timely fashion
- Educating zoo visitors about swallows and the project as needed
- Recruiting help for netting adults in more difficult locations
Interested volunteers should contact Gretchen Albrecht at Gretchen.Albrecht@Zoo.org.
Barn Swallow Data Analysis
The Barn Swallow Project has generated 10 years of data regarding the habits and features of barn swallows nesting at the Woodland Park Zoo. As the data affords great opportunities for scholarly analysis, the barn swallow study may be an ideal feature for a student paper or project. PSBO is available for mentorship and support of a data analysis project. Interested students or volunteers may contact Gretchen Albrecht at Gretchen.Albrecht@Zoo.org.
