The barn swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world, occurring on all continents, with vagrants reported even in Antarctica. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts and a long, deeply forked tail. In Anglophone Europe, it is just called the swallow; in northern Europe, it is the only member of family Hirundinidae called a "swallow" rather than a "martin".
Region
Northern Hemisphere (breeding) and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide (wintering)
Typical Environment
Breeds across temperate North America, Europe, and much of Asia, favoring open country with scattered trees, farmland, meadows, and settlements. Frequently nests on buildings, inside barns, and under bridges, placing mud cup nests on beams or ledges. Winters widely in Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and parts of Oceania. Occurs in most regions except Antarctica, though it can appear as a rare vagrant in extreme locales.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The barn swallow is the most widespread swallow, familiar for nesting on human-made structures like barns, bridges, and porches. Its long, deeply forked tail and glossy blue upperparts make it distinctive in flight. It is a long-distance migrant, breeding across the Northern Hemisphere and wintering in the tropics, with rare vagrants recorded in remote regions.
Reported range from observations submitted to eBird shows the migration pattern of the species Year-round range Summer range Winter range
Holotype of Chelidon rustica transitiva Hartert (NML-VZ T2057) held at World Museum, National Museums Liverpool
H. r. erythrogaster resting on a twig in Washington State, US
H. r. rustica juveniles
Chicks in the nest
Swallow eggs, hatched
Older chicks in nest
A juvenile swallow on a red brick in Sussex
Juvenile being fed
Feeding trace of Brueelia lice on a tail feather
Barn swallow at the moment when its beak touches the water to have a drink in Bagmati River, Nepal
A reflection flight of barn swallow
In Nederlandsche Vogelen (1770)
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
agile flier with quick, fluid wingbeats and swooping glides
Social Behavior
Often nests in loose colonies, especially where suitable structures are available. Typically monogamous within a season; both parents build the mud nest and feed the young. Reuses and repairs old nests and may raise two broods in good years.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A cheerful, twittering warble with varied trills and rattles, interspersed with soft buzzes. Alarm calls are sharp chips and harsh chirrs when predators approach the nest.
