How do swallows sleep?

shepthedog

When swallows are migrating, when do they sleep? I have heard a number of theories that they actually are able to sleep in flight but this seems unlikely.. Does anyone know the answer to this?

Sigma Force

Our ones go back to the nest it seems, and come dawn they fly off again feeding. No idea what they do when they leave after the summer presume they may have some resting sites along the way.

gerky

This would be more suited to nature&birdwatching but anyway,

Sleeping during migration varies a lot between different species, swallow migrate by day and can travel 200 miles a day and generally roost and sleep at night.

brianthebard

They fly up really high,fall asleep,then wake up lower down.

gerky

brianthebard wrote: »

They fly up really high,fall asleep,then wake up lower down.

I don't think this is right but I could be wrong.

sunny2004

brianthebard wrote: »

They fly up really high,fall asleep,then wake up lower down.

this is the case in some species.

http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Auk/v069n04/p0392-p0406.pdf if you have all night

http://chestofbooks.com/reference/A-Library-Of-Wonders-And-Curiosities/Migration-Of-Birds-Part-3.html