A Widely Common, Yet So Uncommonly Beautiful Bird!

clonejoe | January 10, 2024 | Articles

A bird who is widespread across the world, brings an early indication of spring when flocks arrive from Africa, perching on wires.

Meet the Barn Swallow:

“a couple of barn swallows” by Arend Vermazeren is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Identification: The Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) adult males boast black plumage with iridescent blue feathers on their upperparts, along with white markings on the head, throat, and underparts.

“Golondrina – Oreneta – Barn Swallow – Hyrundo rustica” by ferran pestaña is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

The female shares a similar appearance with shorter tail streamers and a less prominent blue-black collar on the throat.

Juveniles: Young Barn Swallows have duller plumage, with brown-tinged upperparts and shorter tail streamers than adults.

“Barn Swallow” by Birdman of Beaverton is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Vocalization: Their calls include rapid twittering, occasional raucous sounds, and creaking notes, commonly heard when perched on wires or branches. The contact call is a clear “witt-witt-witt,” while the alarm call is a double shrill “tsuii,” often accompanied by fast flights toward intruders or predators.

“Barn Swallow (juvenile)” by Becky Matsubara is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Habitat and Range: Found across open terrains like farmlands, grasslands, and marshes, Barn Swallows also thrive in human settlements, exhibiting impressive flight over streets and towns. They can be seen up to 1500-1800 meters of elevation but typically nest between 1000 and 1500 meters in mountainous regions.

Migration: These birds embark on extensive migrations, heading south to tropical regions during winter. Their absence in deserts and the northernmost areas of continents characterizes their distribution.

“Horicon Marsh Barn Swallows” by chumlee10 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Behavior and Feeding: Primarily insectivorous, Barn Swallows hunt various insect species mid-flight. They often soar above water bodies, foraging for insects, sometimes even touching the water surface with their tail tips. Their diet primarily consists of Diptera.

“Barn swallow pair” by Katsura Miyamoto is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Diet: Mainly insect-based, their diet comprises various insects caught mid-flight, occasionally including butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies.

“golondrina común 04 – oreneta vulgar – barn swallow – hirundo rustica” by ferran pestaña is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Breeding and Reproduction: Nesting on ledges in buildings, monuments, or cliff faces, the Barn Swallow constructs cup-shaped nests using mud and dry grasses. Both male and female build the nest, and females alone incubate 4-5 speckled white eggs for about two weeks. Chicks are fed insects by both parents and usually fledge around 20-24 days after hatching.

“Barn swallow yawn” by Katsura Miyamoto is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Conservation and Status: Though the Barn Swallow faced declines previously, deforestation has provided more open spaces and man-made structures for nesting, helping their populations stabilize. However, shifts in habitat may pose threats to specific populations, potentially impacting their stability.

“Barn Swallow” by Andy Morffew is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Listen to this bird next:

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He Flaunts His Extravagant Tail Feathers Behind Him As Gracefully As A Rhythmic Gymnast!

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