Barn Swallow ATTACK!

My pet barn swallows have babies now and have become very aggressive. It would not concern me if I did not need to constantly train the new grapes. I have solved the problem by wearing a pith helmet and ignoring Fred and Mildred, my pet swallows. Unfortunately this has just made him more aggressive ;)!!

[@jeanabernethy9962]

All this defensiveness and fear of Swallows is ridiculous. I have watched them dive-bomb barn cats. The barn cats don't even flinch. They know they don't have a chance in hell of ever catching one. I have been dive-bombed myself by Swallows. They are master flyers, and NEVER foolish enough to let themselves get hurt, and if you forgot, you are bigger than they are. To a bird, a broken bone is fatal. Welcome them. PLEASE NEVER threaten them with bats or raquets! THEY WON'T HURT YOU! THEY'RE TOO SMALL TO HURT YOU! The volume of insects they catch to raise a family is insect control that we need.

[@GeigerFarm]

🙂 I happen to love swallows and do everything to welcome them. That being said, my farm cats can and do catch them, and thus Fred and Mildred are Masters at diving. They are building a new nesting area in our new building! Since our farm is Certified Organic we do many things to encourage birds. We have a bluebird nest right outside our door this year 👍🏻🙂

[@Bamabrat9171]

Plus, it's illegal to harm them, kill them, or mess with the nest or eggs or babies.

[@Bamabrat9171]

@@GeigerFarm cats should be indoors during nesting season. In my opinion.

[@GeigerFarm]

@@Bamabrat9171 All 20 of them 😳😳🤔? Our swallows are experts at staying alive 👍🏻😁.

[@David-R.]

Once they poke your eye out, or one of your kid's, then you won't be saying this. A bird protecting its kids wouldn't mind dying to do so.

[@andylieffring3987]

Swallows are an ally of cattle kind of a “daytime bat”.... make that make sense;) Anyway glad you’re having a little fun

[@GeigerFarm]

Andy Lieffring 😁We were at peace Andy...then Fred got Mean. I retaliated with a pith helmet. Now he is REALLY mad. I think he can recognize the helmet...and knows I’m a chicken without it 😂😂😂.

[@David-R.]

Bro they're so aggravating. I literally hosed their nest down yesterday!! The had built it right on top of my front door, inside a tall-ass arch about 10 or 12 feet high. At first I didn't understand why they were trying to poke my eyes out!! Then finally I spotted their nest. So I tried to feed them, didn't work. each time I walk out of that door, the attacks begin lol. It got old after a couple of weeks and I decided to show them who's territory this was. Got a long ladder and climbed up there to see 4 little birds in a muddy structure they built, and I thought, if I tried to remove it, it would crumble in my hands and the babies would fall. Then my neighbors across the street told me that if I didn't take care of it, then this would be their spot each year. I said to myself "hell no" and they suggested to hose it down. Which I did. Then I went inside to get a basket and a blanket so when they fall the basket would catch them. By the time I walked back outside, the babies had already fallen but they were all ok. I put them in an open plastic (big one) Tupperware and placed them outside my house, only to get attacked more viciously than ever (was expecting it) then I had to stop traffic because one of them started to run away. there was so much muddy water running down my door and wall, I was wearing a hat and holding an ambarella during all that, everyone was watching and I made a scene, it was a big mess 😂😂😂😂😂😂. Fuck those birds.

[@DevotedDisciple-x]

Hahahah!!! This was hilarious and that closing statement! 🤣😂

[@David-R.]

@@DevotedDisciple-x 😂

[@MorgueMaid]

If you are in the U.S. it is against federal law to mess with a nest once it has eggs or babies in it.

[@David-R.]

@@MorgueMaid Yeah I know, It's either they come and take care of their beloved birds and clean their poop for me, or I'm taking care of it myself. That's my law. Federal my ass lol

[@DevotedDisciple-x]

@@MorgueMaid As much as I dislike that, it's true.

[@kathivy]

“I’m not being mean to your babies” 😂Man, that’s almost worse than mosquitoes. At least with bugs you can wear protective clothing. You’ll have to start pruning the grapes in a hard hat!

[@GeigerFarm]

That’s what I have done Katherine 😉😁, wearing a pith helmet 😂!! But I think it’s just making Fred meaner...

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

LOL I don't think I would be able to stand still either with a bird coming at me!!

[@GeigerFarm]

DeHaven Family Farm When you flinch, it’s all over 😉

[@kswaynes7569]

The old story I was told, It's a good sign to have a swallow nest on your barn (shed, building, house), the building will not burn or fall down!

[@GeigerFarm]

AKWayne S I have heard similar Wayne 🙂. I do enjoy them!

[@kswaynes7569]

Geiger Farm They are prolific insect eaters and beautiful in flight

[@donvoll2580]

Good day I remember my mother telling me that . When I bought my dad's house at end of farm, we would have garage door open & one built nest in garage, but we never had them do anything like that. Thanks Maybe they knew they were paying rent. LOL

[@GeigerFarm]

@@donvoll2580 Thanks Don! Our elders had learned a lot from observing nature :) Our home farm has always had prolific barn swallows in the barn. They tried to move into the big barn here, but sometimes I have to shut all the doors for a couple of days, so they left it. I am glad they have taken up residence on the beam here. I am the one who is changing things here (Deborah's beautification project) with the new grapes! Fred is not sure he likes the neighborhood improvements ;). After the babies are gone we will declare an armistice. I keep upping the ante in our war. I got Fred good the first time I wore the pith helmet and he hit it. He has not forgiven me this breach of escalation...

[@johnlorenz4190]

They won't hit you. They'll make you think they'll hit you, but they won't. You can feel the wind from their wings sometimes, but they WILL NOT hit you. Pretty cool to watch how they raise their babies. They also keep a lot of insects in check. I welcome them!

[@GeigerFarm]

So do I! We are contemplating putting up a purple Martin house 🙂.

[@owenitzura]

There's a nest right above my room's balcony. Literally within arm's reach. I've watched the babies hatch and grow from ugly little gremlins to beautiful swallows. And yes, I've been divebombed by the parents several times! I was laughing watching your video because it's exactly the same maneuvers and the same screech when they are right on your face. And just like you I retreat to the safety of my window cover, lol. It's a magnificent spectacle and a privilege to be so near this display of nature. There were 4 chicks and unfortunately one died. The other 3 just started flying yesterday! And the parents are as angry and vigilant as ever! I really enjoy their concert from my room, they provide some really relaxing ambient music. Greetings from Mexico!

[@GeigerFarm]

Thank you for the kind words. It is indeed a blessing. All of our couples have hatched now and our colonies have doubled in size! I counted over twenty flying one morning last week ❤️. They haven’t been nearly as aggressive this year. I suspect that it is because our farm cats have had a herd reduction this year 🤔🙂

[@AaricHale]

That would scare the crap out of me lol . I remember when I was kid getting hit by one coming out of my grandpa's barn .

[@GeigerFarm]

As a general rule Aaric, I love them, and they don't bother me...see other comments. But right now Fred and I are experiencing a strain in our friendship. And, I fear that he is teaching his children (the other couples) how to be downright mean ;)!!

[@scorpionx1503]

@@GeigerFarm 😅😁

[@robmiller2919]

Holy cow ! , I must have mine tamed down , they hardly pay attention to me , but if a cat comes around look out.

[@GeigerFarm]

Yeah Rob...I think I got on Fred's s#@t list the other day taking pictures of the babies ;)...for a later video. But now, he's got the whole neighborhood rioting!! The other night when 6 were circling and diving simultaneously, it was awesome. I think Deborah may have disturbed the neighborhood will her development projects as well :)

[@TheLusaso]

I service a property where one chases me the entire time I'm servicing it. Takes me about 35-40 minutes to do the 90k (square foot) yard, that thing constantly swoops at me lol

[@GeigerFarm]

😳😉🙂

[@jeanabernethy9962]

Thank you for your closing comment in the video, and thank you for being an advocate of Barn Swallows. I am deeply saddened that this video seems to suggest that Barn Swallows are dangerous to people. They are top-notch insect control, their numbers are on the decline because old wooden barns surrounded with livestock are on the decline. When I was a child in the 70s (rural Ontario Canada) there were literally tens of thousands of Barn Swallows congregating along the power lines each August; families with new fledglings preparing for their long flight to South America. We don't see that any more. Anyone who is so shallow as to destroy their nests (as seen in comments below) owes it to themselves to make a closer study on these incredible travellers. I suppose anyone who is afraid of a Barn Swallow might also be afraid of a rooster? ---but need not answer than question as I will excuse myself from this conversation.

[@GeigerFarm]

Thank you for the kind comment. We happen to love birds and especially our barn swallows! We strive to provide superior habitat. Our farm is certified organic which prohibits the usage of synthetic pesticides and insecticides. Natural habitat destruction and a changing climate threaten MANY species 😥.

[@zuzak4341]

We have a nest on the front porch. When my wife goes out to water her flowers, she gets dive bombed, so I tag along with a metal dishpan and bang on it until the flowers are watered. It’s not a perfect solution, but offers some relief.

[@GeigerFarm]

😂😂👍🏻. Desperate times call for desperate measures 😉. The babies are soon gone.

[@stevo271]

I work at a wellness center. There's a garage outside and some swallows built a nest on the light under the eve. Every time I go out to use the weed eater or spray for weeds, one of those suckers would just dive by me and chirp really loud right in my ear as he went by. Finally I got pissed and I turned to face him and swung my hand back like I was going to smack him if he came any closer. He completely averted his dive and went back to circling again. Now every time I go outside I just scan the skies and make sure I'm facing him at all times. LOL

[@GeigerFarm]

@@stevo271 😂👍🏻

[@jcd3869]

They definitely hit you after awhile. My dog and I used to get dive bombed in the park all the time. I agree 90% they barely missed us but if we didn't flinch we were hit. I thought I was crazy until I saw this video. Thing was we were always out in the middle of an open baseball field that was mowed so not near their nests which are in the dug outs and concession stand edifices. Thanks for the funny video.

[@danchente7660]

I got a nest right outside my back porch door. Had no idea till the babies hatched.

[@GeigerFarm]

They are not always so aggressive. I think our cats were stressing Fred out 😉👍🏻. We consider having them around good fortune!

[@ronsondavidson6758]

Coolest birds. I worked at a place that had out-door tents and tons of them would ness there each year. We worked in these tents day and night, never dived bomb us. But in the yard they would fly so acrobatically chasing bugs and sometimes close to us like they were showing off their flying skills lol.

[@GeigerFarm]

@@ronsondavidson6758 👌👍🏻🙏🏼

[@suewright1299]

Amazing video of Swallows after you! I’ve never seen or heard of them reacting in such ways here in England, are you sure it’s not you or something you’re wearing? Great videoing 😊

[@GeigerFarm]

Thank you. Fred and Mildred have made a game of it 😉🙂, and most likely I encouraged it by flinching when they dived on me😂. My son ignores them and they don’t dive on him! In fairness, we do have barncats that they don’t like…

[@canada7082]

Currently experiencing this on my very small patio. I feel like I’m in an Alfred Hitchcock movie. I’m counting down the weeks until the baby birds fly away. Everyone is like “Oh…Kumbaya with the birds, find another entrance to your home, enjoy their presence.” Yeh….NO!! I’m tired of being attacked by the male and the rest of his entourage. The mom isn’t so bad…when she’s alone. She really just sits and stares. Worst part is…No One, and I mean No one else gets attacked when they casually walk by my patio, even if they linger for a while. But as soon as I step out, from either of the 2 exits of my home, THEY ATTACK. I even took an alternative route….and they saw me out in the open and began to divebomb me. I’m reduced to walking around with an oversized umbrella when I walk my tiny Yorkie or walk to my vehicle. My biggest regret is having a soft spot for animals….when they began building 2 months ago…. I should have interrupted them, removed the remnants of the nest, and made them build elsewhere. Now I’m stuck in this fresh HELL until the babies fledge. 😩😩😩

[@GeigerFarm]

😂😉. They will get gone quickly…sometimes though they will have another hatch😳. They “read” people and know who to attack . They don’t bother my kids 😁. I still love them for the insects they eat around the farm 👍🏻!

[@canada7082]

Praying to God they dnt have another hatch!!! 🙏🏽 And as far as the insects…maybe they just dnt like what flys around my patio, though my research has shown otherwise. I have an abundance of wasps, flies, bees, brown beetles…. Etc. The swallows presence hasn’t helped at all. Thanks for your reply though 😇

[@jcd3869]

I am 100% with you and don't judge you. Hard to enjoy your home and yard when they keep dive bombing. Maybe have a pro come over and have them moved to some where else so all can be in peace. I am sure I will get crazy's judging me for supporting a human over an animal but who cares. People spend more on Gucci bags for their pets than they do for starving humans in their community ;)

[@dennisdeville8984]

lmao! well now i know who the real land owner is.

[@kswaynes7569]

Dennis De Ville Those Swallows really protect their young and territories well.

[@GeigerFarm]

😁😉 so true. From their perspective, I am just a pia groundskeeper.

[@kswaynes7569]

Geiger Farm Great response!

[@Solomon.Caine87]

I do lawn fertilization for a company and everytime I'm treating bigger yards these birds are there and attack me every time. I hate them

[@GeigerFarm]

Wow. They typically only get aggressive when their nesting area is disturbed...

[@kellyjoiner4418]

We had ONE nest under our front porch a couple years ago, but there were more than 2 dive bombing birds. I think they called their friends nearby to help em out LOL. (I can laugh about it now). I was worn out from all the bobbing and weaving, with an umbrella, just going to get the mail 🤣.

[@GeigerFarm]

I am pretty sure the dive bombers operate in squadrons 😉😂

[@kellyjoiner4418]

@@GeigerFarm Well coordinated too.

[@captainthrall]

I've had a swallow's nest on my front porch for 4 years now. Every summer they come back, and make new babies. While there are chicks in the nest, they become very territorial - especially the males. They chirp like mad and dive bomb me. Despite swooping so close that I can feel the breeze, they've never actually hit me and I don't think they ever will. It's all just a show - a scare tactic. The swallows are loud, aggressive, and they make a huge mess. The good news is: they're the best exterminators you can get. They eat hornets, wasps, flies, crickets, grasshoppers, and pretty much anything they can fit into their mouths. Insects are food, and the swallows are hungry! They gobble those things up by the thousands. It's great!

[@andreawimer4334]

Reminds me of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. I have 6.. hate them.. they in my horse barn .. no staying away.period!

[@bobthesmallturtleyt1731]

Batter up swing batta batta batta swing!

[@GeigerFarm]

😉😂

[@bobthesmallturtleyt1731]

@@GeigerFarm just in case bring a bat and wait for the bird to pitch lmao!

[@suewright1299]

@geigerFarm You evil swine!!!😡

[@WildOnesHomestead]

🤣🤣🤣 the not flinching plan did not work

[@GeigerFarm]

It worked right up to the point that it didn't ;)! Seriously though, when 6 lined up to strafe me the other evening, it was too much :)!!

[@WildOnesHomestead]

@@GeigerFarm hahahah. I bet! We have 2 pairs nesting in our barn but they must feel safe because we haven't been dive bombed...yet🤣

[@artstrology]

We had about 40 in our barn this year, and we walk the gauntlet right down the middle isle, and nobody bombs us. They did one time, when I was jokingly tried to catch one, that freaked a few out for awhile, but yea, ignoring and being non-threatening works. They are amazing birds and the poo is easy to collect for fertilizer, its all right under the nest, ...mostly

[@whaldoxd3295]

Fertilizer for what exactly? I never seen any bird do this I was wondering what was up with the bird trying to attack me so much for no reason because I haven’t bothered the nest not once.

[@artstrology]

@@whaldoxd3295 Bird poop is great fertilizer, for anything, just don't make it too strong. Swallows test everything that is 'not them',... so they still freak out, but the idea is to ignore them, and whistle, thats what works for me. If I stare at them or raise my arm when they swoop, it is game on for the entire flock. they are crazy, but really just protective. many times the babies are the problem and the parents correct them, because they know I'm the host.

[@rubyrainsong]

Well I'm glad you like them. I can't stand their poop mud nests ruining the siding on our house and the aggressive dive bombing. These birds are so rude.

[@tellyourstorymusicbyikson]

1:53 - did that bird just do half of "the lick"?

[@GeigerFarm]

??

[@tellyourstorymusicbyikson]

@@GeigerFarm haha search ”the lick” here on yt and have a listen. It’s a classic in the jazz world

[@Alantheguy2024]

1:18 he was there for a fractured second

[@JamesOBrien2253]

Lol i have never seen a.bird.try to attack someone

[@GeigerFarm]

Thanks James! What we have here is a war spiraling out of control :):):):);)

[@ryancentnarowicz]

I usually bring a baseball bat or a tennis racquet with me if swallows are out and about.

[@GeigerFarm]

Ryan Centnarowicz 😳😁! We love the swallows for their insect predation! I have taken to wearing a pith helmet and ignoring them 😉🙂.

[@ryancentnarowicz]

Geiger Farm Yea I normally don’t mind them I actually wouldn’t do that too be honest I’m just still frustrated because of a situation last night. 😂😂😂 They kept attacking me while I was out enjoying a cigar and a beer disrupting my peace 😂😂😂.

[@GeigerFarm]

Ryan Centnarowicz 🤣😂

[@producedbykaeph]

I’m about to wipe out a nest... fuckers

[@GeigerFarm]

NETWORK DERO Just let them be...in a couple weeks they will be gone🙂

[@greenhornhomesteaders8249]

LOL

[@DevotedDisciple-x]

These birds are jerks. I'm dealing with them now. Every day I leave my apartment, there they are on my lighting fixture ready to attack.

[@GeigerFarm]

They used to have plenty of habitat in rural areas🤔. As urban areas encroach upon them they are forced to nest where they can🤷‍♂️

[@DevotedDisciple-x]

@@GeigerFarm Fair enough. It also doesn't help that 200 million European starlings have taken over the US, forcing many native species to disappear in many areas or have to compete for nesting spots. And all because some idiotic Shakespeare lovers released them in the US to honor birds found in Shakespeare plays.

[@oldmanballs]

Had a nest at my daughter's daycare. Haha all the parents were just running.

[@GeigerFarm]

😉🙂

[@bloodshot9933]

this happened to me yesterday at the beach by the shore. tons of ppl but he went after me i left it followed LMAO now it knows where i live

[@GeigerFarm]

😂😂😂so interesting how they pick people, maybe you are the alpha predator 😉👍🏻

[@Vlog143Romania]

I have the same problem happened to me right now

[@Vlog143Romania]

How do you get them to quit dive bombing you

[@GeigerFarm]

Only can ignore… Once they recognize you, they won’t stop until the babies leave 🙁. It will get over quickly. They have never hit me😉👍🏻

[@Bamabrat9171]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@andrevstedal4595]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@camobooty2008]

20gauge does the trick.

[@GeigerFarm]

I prefer a Barrett

[@Dmanz.automedic]

Going through this same thing right now lol. Being dive bombed at my aunts house because they built a nest right above the front door

[@confoundedbridge6357]

I used to visit my dad and parked in a carport. Every time I went these birds flew at me like kamikazes. I couldn't believe it until I told somebody at work and right away he said they must be barn swallows. The next time I went there sure enough I saw a nest in the rafters. Needless to say I started parking somewhere else.

[@GeigerFarm]

😉🙂