Relationships between environmental stressors and Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) feather coloration and colony size

Abstract

Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) are aerial insectivores that experience mortality from vehicle collisions because they often nest and hunt under bridges and road culverts. Individual traits that may convey social information, such as body condition, or feather reflectance, may be associated with better coping around cars and other environmental stressors. Cliff swallow colony size may also be affected by environmental stressors. Our objective is to determine if proximity to roads and water level near the colony were related to wing length, body condition, colony size, and feather coloration in Cliff Swallows. We will do this by taking feather samples and measuring reflectance, and taking other body condition measurements, in addition to measuring colonies’ proximity to roads and level of water near the colonies’ locations.