Watch your heads when snorkeling in lakes in the summer, swallows might hit you !

 Swallows are migratory birds often observed drinking in flight from ponds, lakes, or other sources of water during their journeys. Their method of drinking in flight is highly skillful and suited to their aerial lifestyle. Here's how swallows drink in flight from ponds:

Low-altitude flight: Swallows typically fly at relatively low altitudes when seeking water. They spot ponds or lakes by flying over the water's surface. When a swallow spots a water source, it often performs a rapid dive towards the water's surface. This dive approach is an efficient way to get close to the water quickly. As they approach the water, swallows beat their wings quickly to maintain their speed and balance. The rapid wing beats prevent them from diving too deeply into the water. While descending towards the water, the swallow opens its beak widely to scoop up water while in flight. It may also tilt its head downward to facilitate water ingestion. Once the swallow has captured water with its beak, it temporarily stores it in its throat. It then straightens up and continues flying while allowing the water to flow into its digestive system. Swallows have special muscles in their throats to help push the water into the esophagus. Swallows can repeat this process of drinking in flight several times during their journey, depending on their hydration needs. They may cover short distances between water sources and their nesting areas, so this technique allows them to hydrate quickly and efficiently.

The ability to drink in flight is essential for swallows because they spend most of their time in flight searching for food and hunting insects. By using this method, they can hydrate without needing to land, which helps them maintain their agility in flight.