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Swallow
Hirundo rustica
AKA: Barn swallow
Swallows are small birds with dark glossy blue backs, red throats, pale under parts and long distinctive tail streamers. They are extremely agile in flight and spend most of their time on the wing. They are widespread breeding birds in the Northern Hemisphere, migrating south in winter. Recent declines due to loss of habitat quality in both their breeding and wintering grounds mean they are an Amber List species.
Where does it live?
Breeding
Breeds in open habitats; nests in buildings. Common in mixed and traditional farmland – especially near cattle. Found in both upland and lowland habitats where there are plenty of insects.
Wintering
Most UK breeders winter in southern Africa.
Where to see it
Swallows are found in areas where there is a ready and accessible supply of small insects. They are particularly fond of open pasture with access to water and quiet farm buildings. Large reedbeds in late summer and early autumn can be good places to look for pre-migration roosts.
What does it eat?
A range of small invertebrates.
What does it sound like?
The call is a simple `tswit, tswit, tswit’ or `weet-a-weet’; the song is a prolonged sweet twittering.
When to see it
March to October.
Similar species
House martin, Sand martin, Swift
Reserves
• Lodmoor
