Following the posting on the initial efforts of a House Swift (Apus affinis) at building a nest on a vertical wall, Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS sent in his observations and a composite image on the Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica javanica) initial nest building efforts:
“I saw a pair of Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica javanica) checking out a flat wall at the Buddhist Monastery, Tambun (Perak, Malaysia) on 3rd Jan 2009. See the composite above. I considered that they were contemplating building a nest, despite the 90 degree angle. When one bird moved away, a wasp nest, partially broken was visible (above right). It could be that the birds were looking for prey – this is recognised prey but usually caught on the wing and they are not reported to dig a wasp nest for prey. Their general behavior implied considering starting a nest – perhaps using an old wasp nest as a starting point.”