\n.rspb.org.uk
\nSwallow
\nHirundo rustica
\nAKA: Barn swallow<\/p>\n
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.
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\nWhere does it live?
\nBreeding
\nBreeds 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.
\nWintering
\nMost UK breeders winter in southern Africa.
\nWhere to see it
\nSwallows 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.
\nWhat does it eat?
\nA range of small invertebrates.
\nWhat does it sound like?
\nThe call is a simple `tswit, tswit, tswit’ or `weet-a-weet’; the song is a prolonged sweet twittering.
\nWhen to see it
\nMarch to October.
\nSimilar species
\nHouse martin, Sand martin, Swift
\nReserves
\n\t\u2022 \tLodmoor<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
.rspb.org.uk 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[413],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n