Barn Swallow
Classification: Kingdom: Animalia, Class: Aves, Order: Passeriformes, Family: Hirundinidae, Genus: Hirundo, Species: H. rustica
Brief Description
A graceful, small migratory bird known for its swift, acrobatic flight and long, forked 'swallow-tail' streamers.
Additional Information
- Region of Origin: Global (found across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa)
- Typical Sighting Period: Spring and Summer (Migratory, winters in the Southern Hemisphere)
- Plumage Details: Steely blue-black upperparts, rufous/cinnamon forehead and throat, and buffy to white underparts with a deeply forked tail.
- Ecological Significance: Crucial insectivore that regulates populations of flying insects like flies, beetles, and midges.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN), though populations are declining in some regions due to habitat loss.
- Observation Tips: Look near open water, meadows, or farm buildings. They are often seen perched on wires or nesting in mud cups under eaves.