swallow bird

1. Bird Name:
English name: Swallow Bird
Scientific name: Hirundo rustica

2. Appearance:
The Swallow Bird, also known as the Barn Swallow, has a distinctive appearance marked by a profound blue upper body, and a cream or buff colored underbody. Their long pointed wings and forked tail instantly set them apart. Males are more vivid in color, with a dark, shiny, blue-black color above and on the breast, contrasting their pale underbellies. Females are duller in color and their tail feathers are not as long as the males’. The bird’s beak is short, yet strong for hunting insects. The eyes are small but efficient for locating prey and are dark brown in color.

3. Size:
The average length of a swallow bird typically ranges from 17-19 cm or 6.7-7.5 inches. Its wingspan is approximately 32-34.5 cm or 12.6 – 13.6 inches. Swallows are lightweight birds, with a weight range of only 16-20 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution:
Swallow birds are commonly found across the globe, making their homes in every continent except Antarctica. They are largely seen in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. They prefer open habitats such as farmlands, suburbs, and wetlands by creating nests in man-made structures like barns and bridges. During Winter, they migrate to the Southern Hemisphere for food availability and breeding.

5. Interesting Facts:
An interesting fact about Swallow Birds is their remarkable migration habits. They migrate thousands of miles from Europe and Asia to Africa and back during the winter season. Swallows are monogamous birds and re-used their nests from previous years, which is unusual behavior among small birds. They are also known for their agile aerial performances as they flawlessly chase after flying insects.

6. Diet:
Swallow birds chiefly consume flying insects such as flies, beetles, mosquitoes, and ants. They also eat spiders and occasionally, small fruits and berries. They are also known for their skill in catching insects during flight.

7. Behavior & Sounds:
Swallow birds are social and generally aggregate in large numbers. Their flight pattern is agile with rapid wing beats. They have a variety of calls; for communicating with partners they utter ‘sirrr’ and for threat or alarm, a sharp ‘siflitt’ is given.

8. Conservation Status:
According to the IUCN Red List, Swallow bird populations are deemed of least concern as their numbers are currently stable.

9. Lifespan:
A Swallow Bird typically lives for about 4 years in the wild while in captivity, it can live up to 20 years which, however, is highly unlikely.

10. Additional Notes:
In some cultures, Swallow Birds are symbolized as a bringer of spring or good luck. They contribute to reducing insect populations that can benefit human environments and agriculture. Local names vary globally, for instance, it’s known as ‘Lādēni’ in Latvian, ‘Rondine’ in Italian, and ‘ツバメ’ or ‘Tsubame’ in Japanese.