Hirundo rustica
Barn Swallow
A small, agile songbird known for its long, deeply forked tail and swift, acrobatic flight patterns while hunting insects.
Explore Barn Swallow in the encyclopedia →Identify your own birds.
Get a report just like this from any photo or call, free.
Plumage & appearance
Steel-blue upperparts, rufous forhead and throat, and a distinct deeply forked tail with white spots.
Ecological significance
Acts as a natural pest control by consuming vast quantities of flying insects like flies, beetles, and mosquitoes.
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN), though populations are declining in some areas due to habitat loss and pesticide use.
Observation tips
Look for them near open water or farm buildings where they build mud nests. They are best spotted early morning or evening when insects are active.
More like this
