Bavaria: The flour swallow is 'bird of the year' in 2027 - Bavaria - SZ.de

The Mehlschwalbe has been named Germany's Bird of the Year for 2027. This small swallow species, known for its distinctive white underparts and black-blue head and back, was chosen through a public online vote organized by nature conservation groups NABU and LBV. The bird’s population is considered threatened due to multiple environmental challenges. The Mehlschwalbe measures approximately 14 centimeters in length. It is commonly recognized for its swift flight while hunting insects. These birds often nest in colonies and form large flocks outside of breeding season. They currently overwinter in Africa south of the Sahara and return to Germany around early April each year to breed. A defining feature of the Mehlschwalbe is its round, nearly closed mud nests with a small entrance hole. These nests are typically built on building facades, under eaves, or in rock crevices. To construct these nests, the birds gather mud from puddles and mix it with saliva. A single nest can consist of up to 1,500 mud balls. The species breeds twice a year, which helps offset losses from failed clutches or young birds failing to survive. NABU's bird protection expert Martin Rümmler noted that the new Bird of the Year is endangered. While there are still up to 770,000 breeding pairs in Germany, their numbers are declining steadily. Factors contributing to this decline include illegal destruction of existing nests, difficulty finding suitable nesting sites on smooth walls of renovated buildings, and reduced availability of insect prey. Heatwaves linked to climate change pose additional threats. Nests located beneath roof edges can become dangerously hot during heatwaves, endangering non-flight-capable young birds. According to NABU's Artenschutzreferent Martin Klatt, some young swallows have jumped from nests this summer due to extreme heat, resulting in numerous dead, injured, and weakened birds. Conservation efforts emphasize simple actions individuals can take to help. Existing nests should be left undisturbed, as removing them is prohibited. Property owners planning renovations requiring nest removal need special permits, usually requiring the installation of artificial nests to allow continued nesting. Installing a droppings board keeps facades clean, while creating mud puddles in gardens provides materials for nest-building. Gardens designed to attract insects offer valuable food sources for the Mehlschwalbe. Since more than 50 years, conservationists have selected a Bird of the Year annually, using a public online vote since 2021. The Mehlschwalbe replaces the partridge, which held the title this year. The initiative aims to raise awareness about changing nature conservation issues.