Overview

A Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a slender, fast‑flying swallow recognized by its glossy blue upperparts, cinnamon‑orange throat, and long, deeply forked tail, commonly seen swooping low over fields and water as it hunts insects.

The Barn Swallow is one of the most widespread and familiar swallow species in the world, occurring across North America, Europe, Asia, and wintering throughout much of the Southern Hemisphere. It is strongly associated with open country, especially farms, meadows, and wetlands, where it can forage for flying insects. Its graceful, agile flight and distinctive tail streamers make it easy to identify.

Distribution & Habitat

Barn Swallows breed across most of the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, northern Europe, and Asia, and migrate to South America, Africa, and southern Asia for winter. They prefer open habitats—fields, farms, lakeshores—and often nest near humans.

Diet/Foraging

Barn Swallow diet in short:

• Almost entirely flying insects
• Catches prey in midair while swooping low over fields and water
• Eats flies, beetles, wasps, moths, and other small insects

Breeding & Nesting

True to their name, Barn Swallows build cup‑shaped mud nests almost exclusively on human-made structures such as barns, sheds, bridges, and porches. Historically they nested in caves, but this is now rare. Both parents incubate the eggs, and older offspring may help feed younger siblings.