Hirundo rustica - Barn Swallow
Feather characters. Barbules are from short until medium length (0.48-1.27 mm). Barbules are divided into pigmented nodes and partly pigmented (less than 50%) internodes. Distally, pigment may be less concentrated and often stippled. Bell-shaped nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (24-32 per mm). Nodes gradually or abruptly decrease in size towards distal end. In some cases, nodes on distal end may only be slightly thickened. Villi are rounded and internodes are straight. Minute prongs are present on distal end of barbules and on both sides of the pennulum. Barbules have this typical structure for Passeriformes; pigmented, bell-shaped nodes combined with rounded villi.
Field characters. Size 17-19 cm. Weight: male 16.2 g (12.1-28.2), female 15.8 g (11.0-24.8) (Dunning, 1993). Most common swallow. Black upperparts with strong metallic blue gloss, dark brick-red forehead and throat, breast band blackish-blue, white breast, belly and undertail, and greyish white underwings with dark flight feathers. Tail deeply forked with long outer tail feathers, especially so in male. Juvenile like adult, but less glossy, upperparts more brownish-black and throat paler. Flight graceful, wingbeats interspersed with long swoops. Commonly found in flocks and small colonies. On migration and in winter gathers in large roosts, up to several thousands. Migrates alone or in flocks.
Voice. Call 'tswit-tswit'. Song pleasant chittering, often given from perch on electricity wire or in flight, ending in lower trill.
Distribution. Summer visitor. Common, locally declining. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Open countrysides with meadows, hedges, near farms, etc. Nests in cowsheds, barns, and porches.
Food. Insects, caught only on the wing. Usually feeds in lower airspace.