Aaron Treher
Barn Swallow Accessory
Structure Building Plans
2019
Paper and ink

Barn swallows are a migratory bird species found throughout Colorado that nest almost exclusively on human-made structures. They build a cup nest from mud pellets and feed on insects caught in flight. A single barn swallow can consume more than 800 pest insects a day. Rebecca Safran, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at CU Boulder, and PhD student Molly McDermott teamed up with artist Aaron Treher to develop a novel approach to barn swallow research that is part site-specific artwork and part structure. Treher's architectural plans are designed to assist in the planning and building of structures for barn swallows. - Aaron Treher