When is Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day?
The 23rd of October is Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day.
What is Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day?
They’re not African, nor are they European. The swallows of San Juan Capistrano are Cliff Swallows, and they hail from Argentina. The migration of thousands of swallows makes such a spectacle that there’s a day—Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day—devoted to celebrating this natural marvel.
Cliff Swallows make mud nests in trees and under the eaves of buildings. As the story goes, the local shopkeepers thought these avian abodes were filthy nuisances and knocked the nests down. Many of the birds retreated in the eaves of Mission San Juan Capistrano at the invitation of Father John O’Sullivan, the mission’s pastor.
These small, agile birds have dark-blue backs and pumpkin-colored rumps. Their underparts are white, and they have a light patch on their forehead that some liken to a headlamp. You might find them foraging in flocks of up to 1,000 birds.
The cliff swallows strike out for their wintertime headquarters in Goya, Argentina after spending the spring and summer in San Juan Capistrano. On or near October 23rd, the Day of San Juan, they take the air, circle the mission, and head south.
Fun facts about Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day!
- The oldest cliff swallow on records was 11 years and 10 months old. He had been tagged in Nebraska and then caught and recorded in California.
- Swallows sometimes lay eggs in the nests of other swallows—sneaky swallows.
- It has been suggested that the average air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow is about 11 meters per second or 24 miles per hour.
How to celebrate Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day:
Head to San Juan Capistrano to watch the spectacle, or look for bird migrations in your area.
What’s the hashtag for Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day?
Use #SwallowsDepartFromSanJuanCapistranoDay on social media to share your love of nature’s marvels.