Barn Swallow

Steely blue-black upperparts, rufous (tawny) forehead and throat, and a buffy-to-orange underside. Males are typically more brightly colored than females with longer tail streamers.

Deeply forked tail with long outer streamers, blue-black back, and orange/cinnamon throat.

Length: 5.9–7.5 in; Wingspan: 12.6–13.8 in; Weight: 0.6–0.7 oz

A musical twittering warble ending in a dry rattle or 'wit-wit' sounds.

Almost exclusively insects caught on the wing, such as flies, beetles, and dragonflies.

Open areas near water and human structures, including meadows, farm fields, and suburban gardens.

Long-distance migrant; breeds in Northern Hemisphere and winters in Central/South America, Africa, or SE Asia.

Builds cup-shaped mud nests lined with grass and feathers on vertical surfaces like barn rafters or porch eaves.

Cliff Swallow (square tail, pale rump) and Tree Swallow (green-blue back, pure white belly).

Significant insectivore that helps control populations of flies, gnats, and beetles.

Least Concern (IUCN); population is large though some local declines are noted.

Look for them near farm buildings, under bridges, or over open fields. They are frequently seen resting on power lines or the decorative garden hooks prominent in suburban yards.

The Barn Swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world and has a historic relationship with humans by using man-made structures for nesting.