Barn Swallow
Least ConcernHirundo rustica
Visual Identification
Barn Swallow
Appearance
The Barn Swallow is a sleek, small bird with a distinctive deeply forked tail and long, pointed wings. Its upperparts are glossy steel-blue, contrasting with a rusty-red forehead and throat. The underparts are buffy to white, often with a reddish wash.
Males typically have longer tail streamers and more vibrant coloration than females. Juveniles are duller, with shorter tails and a paler throat.
Size
Length
17cm to 19cm
Wingspan
32cm to 34cm
Weight
16g to 22g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Barn Swallows have a nearly global distribution, breeding across much of the Northern Hemisphere and wintering in the Southern Hemisphere. They prefer open habitats near water, including farmlands, meadows, and suburban areas.
They are common summer visitors to the UK, USA, and Canada and can be found year-round in parts of Australia. Their adaptability to human structures has allowed them to thrive in diverse environments.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 3,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Barn Swallows are insectivores, primarily feeding on flying insects such as flies, moths, and beetles. They catch their prey in mid-air, often flying low over fields or water bodies. They'll also eat flying ants, moths, and beetles.
During the breeding season, they may consume up to 60 insects per hour to sustain their high energy needs.
Behaviour
Barn Swallows are highly social birds, often seen in large flocks during migration and winter. They are agile flyers, catching insects on the wing with swift, graceful movements.
These birds frequently perch on wires or branches, chattering amongst themselves and preening.
Vocalisation
Barn Swallows are known for their cheerful, twittering song, often described as a series of liquid chirps and warbles. Their call is a sharp 'vit' or 'vit-vit'. During the breeding season, males sing more elaborately, producing a pleasant, bubbling warble that sounds like 'weet-weet-wittit-wittit-wittit'.
They also produce alarm calls when they detect a threat and when attempting to deter predators from the nest.
Nesting & Breeding
Barn Swallows typically form monogamous pairs, with breeding occurring from spring to early summer. Courtship involves aerial displays and melodious duets.
Nests are cup-shaped structures made of mud pellets mixed with grass, lined with feathers. They are often attached to rafters in barns or under bridges. Females lay 4-5 white eggs with reddish-brown spots.
Incubation lasts about 14-19 days, with both parents sharing duties. Nestlings fledge after 18-23 days but remain dependent on their parents for up to a week after leaving the nest.
Lifespan
The Barn Swallow typically lives for 2 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 11.1 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While globally listed as Least Concern, Barn Swallow populations have declined in some regions due to agricultural intensification and loss of nesting sites.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable nesting habitats and reducing pesticide use in foraging areas.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Barn Swallows near open fields, farmlands, and water bodies.
- Observe their distinctive forked tails during flight.
- Listen for their cheerful, twittering calls, especially near nesting sites.
- In the UK and North America, check barns and outbuildings for nesting pairs in spring and summer.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
European Swallow, Common Swallow
Family:
HirundinidaePredators
Did You Know?
- Barn Swallows can drink and bathe on the wing, skimming the water's surface.
- They often return to the same nesting site year after year, travelling up to 11,000 km during migration.
- In many cultures, Barn Swallows symbolise good luck and heralds of spring.
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FAQs
What is special about a Swallow bird?
The Swallow’s impressive annual migration is one of its most fascinating behaviors. These tiny birds switch between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres each year to take advantage of the alternating spring and summer seasons on either side of the equator. They can fly over a hundred miles in a day and may have to fly even further when crossing open stretches of the ocean.
Are Swallows good to have around your house?
Homeowners do not always appreciate Swallows. Their mud nest and droppings make them unpopular with some people, although their presence also has some great benefits. These birds are highly effective at controlling small flying insects like mosquitoes and other pests.
References
- 2 3 4
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Hirundo rustica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22712252A137668645.
View source - 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
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