For thousands of years, people have believed the myth that birds swallows specifically will burrow into the mud and essentially hide away for the winter.
Most people nowadays know that no birds hibernate, but the myth still persists in some minds. Way back in the 4th century BC, Aristotle was one of the first people to delve into the topic of bird migrations. As a naturalist, he noted that birds traveled to warmer temperatures during wintertime. However, he also noted that other birds, including swallows, went into hibernation. The theory was that birds went into a torpid state and hid in trees and mud.
At the time, he said many birds went into hibernation, including kites, doves, and storks, but over the years, the hibernation theory stuck with the swallows like gum. Swallows usually fly south in September and it is thought Rambo has lost nearly half its body weight by staying here. Rambo lost half his body-weight during his battle to survive the coldest winter for 30 years.
In recognition of the swallow's tough character, birdwatchers have nicknamed him Rambo after the all-action character played by Sylvester Stallone. The majority of the species have left Britain by Christmas but a handful remain into the New Year before dying out in the cold. By January 5 birdwatchers around the country had reported seeing seven - four in Cornwall and three in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire.
Mr Flumm added: 'Now we're down to just the one bird - certainly the only one left in the country. I felt sure it was going to be wiped out. It is a young bird and so it is impossible to gender. Swallows are characterised by an ability to feed in the air and have adapted to hunting insects on the wing by developing a slender streamlined body.
They are able to produce many different calls or songs, which are used to express excitement, courtship, or as an alarm when a predator is in the area.
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Argos AO. Privacy Policy Feedback. Share this article Share. Share or comment on this article: Meet Rambo - the tough little swallow who forgot to fly South this winter. Comments 0 Share what you think. Bing Site Web Enter search term: Search. Download our iPhone app Download our Android app. Lytchett Fields The reserve has seen more than thirty species of wading birds. Arne Heathland home to more than species. Get out, get busy and get wild!
Fun factoids for all the family Find out more about the nature and wildlife outside your window. Swallow migration. About swallows Swallows are summer visitors to the UK. Swallow Swallows are small birds with dark, glossy-blue backs, red throats, pale underparts and long tail streamers. Share this page Facebook Facebook Created with Sketch. Twitter Pinterest. You might also be interested in Swift migration Swifts need warm weather to provide a constant supply of flying insects, so they spend only about three months in the UK.
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