It takes about a week to complete the nest, built by both male and female. The female incubates the eggs for 14-16 days, with occasional help from the male. Young barn swallows are fed insects by regurgitation, and remain in the nest from 17 to 22 days before they fledge. During the nestling stage, parent birds also bring small bits of grit to their young to aid them in the digestion of the exoskeletons of insects they are fed. While I only had one pair at a time under my eaves, I had seen several pairs nesting side by side at a friend's home in the country.
Barn swallows live in harmony with other species of swallows occupying the same garden.
As fledging time approaches, some nestlings may hesitate to fly even though they are able. To encourage their young to try their wings, parents may withhold food and coax the young by wing-fluttering and calling. When the young fledge, parents continue feeding and defending them for another two weeks before they become independent. By the end of September, barn swallows are ready to migrate south again. We welcome your feedback.