Hirundo rustica
Barn swallows are small birds. They range in size from 14.6 to 19.9 cm long, with a wingspan of 31.8 to 34.3 cm. They weigh between 17 and 20 g. Barn swallows are metallic blue-black above and pale beige below. They have light brown on their throat and forehead, and have a long, deeply-forked tail. Males and females are similar in appearance, though females tend to be less vibrantly colored and have shorter outer tail-streamers. Asymmetry of physical characteristics in barn swallows tends to be transmitted to the young in distinct parent to offspring patterns. Tail asymmetry tends to pass from father to son and from mother to daughter. Alternatively, wing asymmetry does not appear to transfer at all on a reliable basis from parent to offspring. Six subspecies of Hirundo rustica are recognized.
Not Threatened
Barn swallows are small birds. They range in size from 14.6 to 19.9 cm long, with a wingspan of 31.8 to 34.3 cm. They weigh between 17 and 20 g. Barn swallows are metallic blue-black above and pale beige below. They have light brown on their throat and forehead, and have a long, deeply-forked tail. Males and females are similar in appearance, though females tend to be less vibrantly colored and have shorter outer tail-streamers. Asymmetry of physical characteristics in barn swallows tends to be transmitted to the young in distinct parent to offspring patterns. Tail asymmetry tends to pass from father to son and from mother to daughter. Alternatively, wing asymmetry does not appear to transfer at all on a reliable basis from parent to offspring. Six subspecies of Hirundo rustica are recognized.
14.6 to 19.9 cm
Taxonomy: Hirundo rustica Linnaeus, 1758, Sweden. Forms a superspecies with H. lucida, H. angolensis, H. tahitica, H. neoxena, H. albigularis and H. aethiopica, at least some of which have sometimes been considered conspecific with present species. Taxonomy: uncertain; races possibly constitute two or more species, with sister-taxa in North America and Siberia. American race erythrogaster most resembles E Asian forms in colour and breastband pattern, but mitochondrial-DNA studies, combined with behaviour, suggest that it may be a separate species from that in Old World; proposed race insularis, from islands in N Gulf of Mexico, considered inseparable from mainland breeders. Populations in Eurasia intergrade; mandschurica often included in saturata, which itself is often subsumed in gutturalis or tytleri; birds from N India (Sikkim), originally described as separate race ambigua, probably belong in gutturalis, although sometimes included in nominate. In addition, clinal variation apparent: tail length decreases from N to S, and in Eurasia size decreases from NW & NE to S & E. Hybridizes with Petrochelidon pyrrhonota and P. fulva in America, and with Delichon urbicum in Europe and Asia. Eight subspecies tentatively recognized. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Subspecies and Distribution:
- * erythrogaster Boddaert, 1783 - breeds North America from S Alaska and W & S Canada (S from S Yukon, CW Mackenzie, N Saskatchewan, N Manitoba, N Ontario, SC Quebec and S Newfoundland) S through most of USA (except extreme SW, also S Florida) to Mexico (NW Baja California, and interior S to Colima, Michoacán and Puebla); also South America in E Argentina (N Buenos Aires). Winters from Pacific slope of C Mexico and W Panama, and E West Indies (Puerto Rico, Lesser Antilles), S through most of South America. * rustica Linnaeus, 1758 - Europe and W Asia from Ireland, Britain and N Scandinavia E to C Russia (E to R Yenisey), W Mongolia and W China, S to Mediterranean, N Africa (E to Libya), Iraq and C Himalayas; winters mainly sub-Saharan Africa, also S Asia. * savignii Stephens, 1817 - Egypt (Nile Valley). * transitiva (Hartert, 1910) - Lebanon, Syria, Israel and W Jordan. * tytleri Jerdon, 1864 - SC Siberia (R Yenisey E to Yakutskaya) S to N Inner Mongolia; winters E India and SE Asia. * saturata Ridgway, 1883 - E Russia (Kamchatka and Sea of Okhotsk coast S to mid-Amur Basin); winters SE Asia. * mandschurica Meise, 1934 - NE China; winters SE Asia. * gutturalis Scopoli, 1786 - E Himalayas, S, C & E China, Korea and lower R Amur E to Kuril Is, Japan and Taiwan, also possibly irregularly in Kamchatka; winters S & SE Asia S to N Australia.
Barn swallows are very adaptable birds and can nest anywhere with open areas for foraging, a water source, and a sheltered ledge. They seek out open habitats of all types, including agricultural areas, and are commonly found in barns or other outbuildings. They will also build nests under bridges, the eaves of old houses, and boat docks, as well as in rock caves and even on slow-moving trains. While migrating, they tend to fly over open areas, often near water or along mountain ridges. Barn swallows generally nest below 3000 m elevation.
Barn swallows are insectivores. Flies, grasshoppers, crickets, dragonflies, beetles, moths and other flying insects make up 99 % of their diet. They catch most of their prey while in flight, and are able to feed their young at the nest while flying. Barn swallows forage opportunistically. They have been observed following tractors and plows, catching the insects that are disturbed by the machinery. They drink water by skimming the surface of a body of water while flying.
Barn swallows are socially monogamous. However, extra-pair copulations are common, making this species genetically polygamous. Breeding pairs form each spring after arrival on the breeding grounds. Pairs re-form each spring, though pairs that have nested together successfully may mate together for several years. Males try to attract females by spreading their tails to display them and singing.Several studies have researched sexual selection in barn swallows. Moller (1994) documented female barn swallows selecting for symmetrical wings and tails in potential mates. Males exhibiting greater symmetry acquired mates more quickly than did asymmetric males.Unmated adults often associate with a breeding pair for up to an entire season. Though these "helpers" do not usually feed the young, they may help with nest defense, nest building, incubation and brooding. "Helpers" are predominantly male, and may succeed in mating with the resident female, leading to polygyny. Breeding interval Barn Swallows usually produce 2 clutches per season, breeding seasons occur once each year. Breeding season Barn Swallows breed from May to August. Eggs per season 3 to 7; avg. 5 Time to hatching 13 to 15 days Time to fledging 20.50 days (average) Time to independence 2 weeks (high)