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Barn Swallows are similar in size to other swallows found in Australia, while martins are smaller. They have a chestnut throat and frons. Below the throat patch they have a glossy bluish-black band that connects to the neck, crown and back, which are also glossy bluish-black. The rest of the front, down to the undertail coverts, is also white. The tail is deeply forked, with bluish-black feathers on the uppertail and a grey undertail with white central feathers. The eyes have dark irises. The very short bill is black; the legs and feet are grey. Juveniles have shorter tails and duller colours.

Twitcher's tip

Compared with Welcome Swallows, Barn Swallows have a black breast band between their chestnut throat and white chest and belly.

The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org .

The global distribution of the Barn Swallow is available HERE .

Barn Swallows are a global species with several races that are found on all continents. Nominate race "rustica" breeds in Europe, Arabia and Asia, up to the Arctic circle, and as far South as northern Africa, the Middle East, Arabia, India and as far East as the southern Himalaya. They winter in southern Africa. Race "gutturalis" is found farther East in Asia and on Pacific islands, occasionally making their way as far South as Australia.

In Australia, Barn Swallows, race "gutturalis", are usually found only along the North and East coast, from about Eighty Mile Beach, WA, in the West to Brisbane, QLD, in the East.

Barn Swallows are usually found in open habitats, such as fields, paddocks, but also in urban environments.

Race "gutturalis"

Race "rustica"