Details
Hirundo rustica
The barn swallow is a diurnal bird of grasslands and urban edges. Loose groups catch flying insects and often nest on human structures.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses open grassland, farmland, rivers, and settlements. Nest ledges under eaves or bridges and insect-rich airspace are important.
Wingspan is about 29-34 cm and weight about 16-22 g. Long pointed wings, a deeply forked tail, blue-black back, and reddish face are distinctive.
Diurnal birds feed in flight and migrate seasonally. Pairs defend nest sites, while larger flocks form during movement periods.
It is carnivorous, catching flying insects in the air. It skims low or higher depending on wind, weather, and insect activity.
A mud-and-grass cup nest is often attached under buildings or bridges. Parents make repeated trips carrying small insects to chicks.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. It uses human settings, but insect decline and changes in nesting sites can affect local populations.
