Barn Swallow (Juvenile)

Brief Description

A small, agile songbird known for its deeply forked tail and swift, acrobatic flight patterns as it hunts insects mid-air.

Additional Information

• Region of Origin: Widespread across the Northern Hemisphere (North America, Europe, Asia)
• Typical Sighting Period: Late spring through early autumn (breeding season)
• Plumage Details: Steel-blue upperparts, cinnamon to buff-colored underparts, and a rufous forehead/throat. Juveniles have duller, more brownish plumage with shorter tail streamers.
• Ecological Significance: Acts as a natural pest control by consuming large quantities of flying insects, including mosquitoes and flies.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern (though populations in some regions are showing slight declines due to habitat loss and pesticide use)
• Observation Tips: Look for them near open fields, meadows, or water sources where insects are plentiful. They often nest in man-made structures like barns, bridges, and eaves.