These common, yet beautiful birds are the bane of many a barn or shed owner, owing to their unusual habit attaching their mud nests to the sides of support beams. Swallows are, however, brilliant insect control! They fly at high-speeds, picking off untold numbers of mosquitoes, gnats, and flies. If you didn’t get bitten by a mosquito today, perhaps thank a swallow? Even if you did, thank him/her that you weren’t bitten by more! Photo taken at John Heinz National Widlife Refuge, PA, USA.

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