Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
General description:
Swallows are small swift flying birds, hunting insects on the wing with the agility a Jedi fighter could only wish for. They are usually quite social, often roosting in colonies of mixed swallow species. Of the swallows, my favorites are the Barn Swallows, possibly because a pair once graced our house with its nest, fledging four youngsters several weeks later.
Barn Swallows are easily distinguished from the other swallows. They have one feature, a deeply forked and U-shaped tail, that is unique. Beyond that, Barn Swallows have a dark blue back and head with black eye-patches, rust-colored chin and forehead and a light brown belly. They have long, pointed blue wings with a white spot in the middle. Like all swallows, their bill is rather flattened top to bottom and triangular.
Behavior and Habitat
Barn Swallows are common throughout most of the continent, flying over open areas to forage.
Since swallows are swift fliers, they can be difficult to track with binoculars long enough to get a good identification. For Barn Swallows you can use behavior to help narrow down the choices. Barn Swallows often forage much closer to the ground or water than other swallows, often skimming the water surface over marshes. They may take a drink this way or even a quick bath.
Similar Species
Other swallow species that are similar include the bank swallow, tree swallow, cliff swallow and cave swallow. None have a forked tail like the Barn Swallow.
Cool Facts
“Both male and female build the nest cup using mud. They collect mud in their bills and often mix it with grass stems to make pellets. They first construct a small shelf to sit on, then build up the nest’s sides. If built against a wall or other vertical surface the result is a semicircular, half-cup shape perhaps three inches across. They will typically place it high on the wall so there is just a little room between the ceiling and the top of the nest.” Allaboutbirds.org.
Barn Swallows have 3-7 eggs and may fledge two broods per year.
For their size, Barn Swallows are seemingly fearless. Individuals or groups of Barn Swallows mob predators such as hawks, gulls, or grackles that approach nests, harassing them until they drive off.
When and where found at Camas NWR
You may see Barn Swallows foraging over any open country, but especially look for them foraging over marshes and open water.
Backyard Tips from Cornell Website (allaboutbirds.org)
Barn Swallows don't come to seed or suet feeders, but they may take ground-up eggshells or oyster shells placed on an open platform feeder. If you have a suitable outbuilding, leaving a door or window open can encourage Barn Swallows to build a nest inside. Providing a source of mud will also help with nest building. Barn Swallows may use artificial nest cups attached to an appropriate surface.
Consider putting up a nest box to attract a breeding pair. Make sure you put it up well before breeding season. Attach a guard to keep predators from raiding eggs and young.
Conservation
“Barn Swallow populations declined by over 1% per year from 1966 to 2014, resulting in a cumulative decline of 46%, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 120 million with 24% spending some part of the year in the U.S, 2% in Mexico, and 4% breeding in Canada. They rate an 8 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score and are not on the 2014 State of the Birds Watch List. Barn Swallows were hunted for the hat trade in the nineteenth century, and are still hunted for food in parts of their wintering range. Discarded twine or fishing line can pose a problem when Barn Swallows use these materials to line their nests, where the strands can entangle adults or young and trap them. On a more positive note, this species has benefited from human-made structures, and people generally encourage these pretty, insect-eating birds to nest near them. As a result, Barn Swallows have greatly expanded their breeding range and numbers as people have settled the continent.” https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/barn_swallow/lifehistory
Text by Terry Thomas. Source: https://www.allaboutbirds.org
Photos by Terry Thomas