365 Urban Species. #214: Barn Swallow

[urbpan]

Photo by cottonmanifesto. Location: Spectacle Island, Boston.

Urban species #114: Barn swallow Hirundo rustica

When an animal has a man-made structure in its common name (house sparrow, chimney swift), there's a good chance that it's a potential urban species. Barn swallows have been nesting in barns for almost as long as there have been barns. This bird is native to all the continents except Antarctica and Australia, and chooses well-sheltered ledges to make its nest. They nest in their northern range, and migrate to southern climes in winter. Before humans invented barns, barn swallows would make their mud nests in caves and under cliffs. They are tolerant of the presence of humans, and are attracted to agricultural areas to make use of the high concentration of prey insects as well as nest sites. They fly rapidly, catching insects on the wing, and drink by making skimming flights across the water.

Unlike swifts, swallows will perch, often on telephone wires. Most swallows are dull colored, but some have blue, green, or violet iridescence, like hummingbirds, on their backs. Barn swallows have dark blue iridescence, and a reddish buff belly, making them easy to recognize. Changes in barn construction and the disappearance of small farms have reduced the numbers of barn swallows somewhat. In the city they may nest under bridges or in abandoned buildings. The fledgling pictured here was likely hatched from a nest under the tall dock at Spectacle Island.

Comments

[phlogiston-5.livejournal.com]

Are these guys barn swallows? I had identified them as such, but their bellies are so much redder than the example in my field guide. At least they let me get really close for a decent shot.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Yes, they definitely are. There seems to be a range of belly darkness.

[barn-swallow.livejournal.com]

Yay! Barn swallows!! I like them.

Obviously.

[(Anonymous)]

Looks like a Cliff Swallow to me.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Indeed.
The individual pictured is a fledgling, and was waiting for a return visit by one of its parents (which I saw, making the identification of this youngster easier for me than it might have been). The Cornell lab of Ornithology mentions the resemblance: "Cliff Swallow can be confused with short-tailed juvenile Barn Swallow. Cliff Swallow has a square tail, a pale collar around the nape, a pale rump, and is less rusty."

[g-weir.livejournal.com]

we used to see lots of these in my uncle's barn back in hingham. they would routinley dive at any cats or dogs (and the occasional child) who approached the barn.

[deathling.livejournal.com]

Aw it looks so FAT.

[cailin-t.livejournal.com]

i don't find barn swallows particularly irridescent. tree swallows, hell yeah, but barn swallows are just kind of a dullish slate blue..

hi

[ebizpromo.livejournal.com]

Your blog on urban species is mindblowing.It was quite informative

Re: hi

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Thanks ver much! I'm glad you like it.