5 Fledgling Barn Swallows

Five young barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) recently fledged from their nest on Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Even though they can fly they're still getting meals from the mother and father swallow. Flies are the main barn swallow diet. Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge currently has a wide variety and large quantity of flies. Barn swallows catch their meals in mid-flight and even drink in-flight by scooping water from the surface of a source. They're like a perpetual motion machine and are fun to watch as they swoop, dive and soar in pursuit of flying insects. 

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