Scientific Name: Hirundo rustica
Behavior: Barn Swallows often fly low to the ground, and they catch insects while flying.
Habitat: Barn Swallows live in open areas with good nesting sites where they can forage for insects, particularly where there is a water source. Barn Swallows can be found in pastures, grasslands, suburban areas, and city parks.
Diet: Barn Swallows eat insects almost exclusively, particularly flies. They eat blow flies, horse flies, and hover flies.
Nesting: The nest is a cup made of grass, straw, feathers, and mud. It is lined with thin grass stems, feathers, and hair. Barn Swallows lay 4 to6 eggs, and incubation lasts for 11 to19 days. They have 2 or 3 broods. A few Barn Swallows still nest in dead trees or on cliffs, but 99% of Barn Swallows nest on buildings, docks, bridges, eaves, and other man made structures.
Sound: The Barn Swallow makes a slightly squeaky chattering, rattling sound, and the call is sharp tsch!
Description/field marks: Barn Swallows are easily identified from other swallows by their deeply forked tails. They are purplish royal blue on the tail, wings, back, and head. The face is brown, and the underside is beige. Juveniles have lighter undersides.
