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Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Alternate name(s): "Chimney Swallow", "European Swallow", "House Swallow*" German name(s): "Rauchschwalbe" Size: 17-19 cm; wing span: 32-34.5 cm (race "rustica") Body mass: 16-22 g (race "rustica") Wing loading [g/cm2]: 0.14

Europe: Family Group 25 Family Group 25 Table Barn Swallow European Red-rumped Swallow Common House Martin Sand Martin Eurasian Crag Martin Thumbnails page Family group table Index of bird names European birds home page

Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Barn Swallows are similar in size to other swallows, 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 a shorter tail, duller colours and a yellow-orange gape. Twitcher's tip Compared with Welcome Swallows, Barn Swallows have a black breast band between their chestnut throat and white chest and belly.

Taxonomy, classification See Barn Swallow at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range 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. Barn Swallows are usually found in open habitats, such as fields and paddocks, but they are also found in urban environments.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "rustica" D. Wilczynska reports finding Barn Swallows, nominate race "rustica", nesting in Kaczkowo near Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, in May/June 2015 and in Wizna, Podlachia, Poland, in May 2016. H. Dahlem-Senger reports finding Barn Swallows, nominate race "rustica", nesting in Eltville, Rheingau, Germany, in July 2016. Special access to the nest site granted by the Fink family is hereby gratefully acknowledged. Barn Swallows, nominate race "rustica", were also found near Oberkirch, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, in September 2020. Others were found at Aurich, Ostfriesland, Germany, in June 2021. D. Wilczynska reports finding Barn Swallows, nominate race "rustica", near Cala Gonone, eastern Sardinia, Italy, in June 2016. H. Dahlem-Senger reports finding Barn Swallows, nominate race "rustica", breeding in Kals, Osttirol, Austria, in July 2017, at an altitude of ca. 1300 m. Barn Swallows, nominate race "rustica", were also found by S. Cuturilov near Temerin, Serbia, in July 2017. J. Pires reports spotting Barn Swallows, race "rustica", regularly in the area from the Tejo estuary to Mora, Evora, Portugal. They have also been found in other locations in southern to central Portugal and in parts of Spain. M. Eaton found Barn Swallows, race "rustica", in Mequinenza, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, in September 2019. M. Eaton also found Barn Swallows, race "rustica", near Wadebridge, Cornwall, England, in September 2019, where they were still nesting at the time. C. Pears spotted Barn Swallows, race "rustica", in Borrowdale, Cumberland, England, in September 2024. Barn Swallows, race "rustica", were found by G. Normand at Parc du Sausset, 20 km North of Paris, France, in July 2020. A. Sarok reports finding Barn Swallows, race "rustica", in Vojvodina, Serbia, in the timeframe 2010-2024. Nominate race "rustica" was also spotted by us in Oman. Race "gutturalis" Barn Swallows, race "gutturalis", were found by us in Australia.

Photos

Race "rustica"

ADULT

PAIR

Near-frontal view of a pair of Barn Swallows on their roost near the nest (photo courtesy of H. Dahlem-Senger & Fink family)
[Eltille, Rheingau, Germany, July 2016]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a pair of Barn Swallows on a power line (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Wizna, Podlachia, Poland, May 2016]

Sex unknown

Frontal view of a Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]

Frontal view of a Barn Swallow looking sideways (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]

Frontal view of a Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, March 2017]

Frontal/ventral view of a Barn Swallow near its nest in a shed (photo courtesy of H. Dahlem-Senger & Fink family)
[Eltille, Rheingau, Germany, July 2016]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a Barn Swallow looking sideways (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Guadiana river, Moreanes, Mertola, Beja, Portugal, February 2023]

Near-lateral view of a Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Wizna, Podlachia, Poland, May 2016]

Near-lateral view of a Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Portugal, August 2019]

Near-lateral view of a Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, January 2016]

Near-lateral view of a Barn Swallow calling (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Wizna, Podlachia, Poland, May 2016]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Rio Tormes, Salamanca, Spain, July 2022]

Near-lateral/ventral view of 4 Barn Swallows (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, August 2022]

Lateral view of a Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of A. Sarok)
[Vojvodina, Serbia, date unknown]

Lateral view of a Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, February 2020]

Lateral view of a Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Near Cala Gonone, eastern Sardinia, Italy, June 2016]

Lateral view of a Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Kaczkowo near Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, May 2015]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a Barn Swallow with plastic stuck under its wing(!) (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Guadiana river, Moreanes, Mertola, Beja, Portugal, April 2023]

Group of Barn Swallows preening in a shrub (photo courtesy of S. Cuturilov)
[Near Temerin, Serbia, July 2017]

Frontal view of a Barn Swallow launching itself into the air (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]

Near-frontal view of a Barn Swallow in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Portugal, April 2019]

Near-lateral view of a Barn Swallow in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vilarelhos, Alfandega da Fe, Alto Tras-os-Montes, Norte, Portugal, April 2018]

Lateral view of a Barn Swallow in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, November 2022]

Lateral/ventral view of a Barn Swallow in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, February 2019]

Lateral/ventral view of a Barn Swallow flying without tail streamers (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, June 2022]

Dorsal view of a Barn Swallow in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, February 2019]

Dorsal view of a Barn Swallow that has just dipped into water (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]

Ventral view of a Barn Swallow in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, November 2022]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of a juvenile Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mequinenza, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, September 2019]

Near-frontal view of a juvenile Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2020]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, April 2022]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Barn Swallow, right, with an adult (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Parque Ecologico do Gameiro, Mora, Evora, Portugal, June 2022]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Barn Swallow, centre, between two Sand Martins (photo courtesy of G. Normand)
[Parc du Sausset, 20 km North of Paris, France, July 2020]

Lateral view of a juvenile Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2020]

Lateral view of a juvenile Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2020]

Near-dorsal view of a juvenile Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, Coruche, Santarem, Portugal, June 2021]

Juvenile Barn Swallows on a fence (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, July 2017]

Barn Swallow "rookery" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mequinenza, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, September 2019]

Frontal view of juvenile Barn Swallows waiting to be fed (photo courtesy of H. Dahlem-Senger)
[Kals, Osttirol, Austria, July 2017]

Lateral view of a juvenile Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Kaczkowo near Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, June 2015]

Lateral view of a juvenile Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Portugal, August 2019]

Lateral view of a juvenile Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, July 2019]

Lateral view of a juvenile Barn Swallow, here seen begging (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, September 2016]

Near-dorsal view of a juvenile Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Kaczkowo near Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, June 2015]

Frontal view of a fledgling Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Acude da Rouca, Sousel, Portalegre, Portugal, May 2023]

Frontal/ventral view of a fledgling Barn Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2018]

Lateral view of a full complement of 4 fledgling Barn Swallows (photo courtesy of A. Sarok)
[Vojvodina, Serbia, date unknown]

Race "gutturalis"

Photos of Barn Swallows, race "gutturalis", were obtained by us in Australia.

Breeding information

Breeding season: Mar - Aug

Eggs: 4 - 5

Incubation period: 14 - 19 days

Fledging age: 18 - 23 days

The length of the breeding season depends on geographic latitude and can start in February in southern parts of the range. Barn Swallows usually have two broods per season. They can breed in alpine areas of up to 2700 m (3000 m in North America).

Nest building: Female & male

Incubation: Mostly female

Dependent care: Female & male

Nest

Type: Mud bowl

Material: Mud, feathers

Height above ground: 2 - ? m

Clutch of four near-flegding age Barn Swallow chicks in their nest (photo courtesy of H. Dahlem-Senger & Fink family)
[Eltille, Rheingau, Germany, July 2016]

Frontal portrait of a Barn Swallow on its nest (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Kaczkowo near Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, May 2015]

Barn Swallow nest under an awning (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Wizna, Podlachia, Poland, May 2016]

Lateral view of a Barn Swallow collecting mud (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a Barn Swallow collecting mud for building its nest (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Moreanes, near Mertola, Alentejo, Portugal, February 2023]

Eggs

Size: 20 x 14 mm

Colour: White, with dark-brown speckles

Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal

Mobility: Migratory

Elementary unit: Flock

The only area in Europe where Barn Swallows are sedentary is southern Iberia.

Barn Swallows gathering in a dying tree in preparation for their migration to Africa (photo courtesy of H. Dahlem-Senger)
[Near Oberkirch, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, September 2020]

Barn Swallows preening and congregating for their migration to Africa (photo courtesy of H. Dahlem-Senger)
[Lake Constance, Germany, September 2022]

Food, Diet

Adults: Small insects

Dependents: As adults

Water intake: Daily(?)

Like all other swallows known to us, Barn Swallows are insect hunters. They feed in-flight on small insects.

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

bswallow_jp_20200625.m4a	rustica (Portugal)	Contact calls	© JP
bswallow_dw_20170729.m4a	rustica (Poland)	Contact calls (in flight)	© DW
bswallow_dw_20170729_2.m4a	rustica (Poland)	Contact calls (in flight)	© DW
bswallow_dw_20160902.m4a	rustica (Poland)	Contact calls(?)	© DW
bswallow_dw_20170729_1.m4a	rustica (Poland)	Group chatter	© DW
bswallow_dw_20160520_1.m4a	rustica (Poland)	Group chatter	© DW
bswallow_dw_20180819.m4a	rustica (Poland)	Group chatter	© DW
bswallow_hds_20200906.m4a	rustica (Germany)	Congregating for migration	© HDS
bswallow_jp_20250213.m4a	rustica (Portugal)	Various	© JP
bswallow_jp_20220217.mp3	rustica (Poland)	Various	© JP
bswallow_dw_20170729_0.m4a	rustica (Poland)	Various (in flight)	© DW
bswallow_dw_20170729_2.m4a	rustica (Poland)	Various (in flight)	© DW
bswallow_hds_20200906_2.m4a	rustica (Germany)	?	© HDS
bswallow_dw_20160520_2.m4a	rustica (Poland)	?	© DW

More Barn Swallow sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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