barn swallow (Hirundo rustica)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 6 inches

• Tiny bill

• Dark orange forehead and throat

• Pale orange underparts

• Dark, iridiscent upperparts

• Long, deeply forked tail

• Juvenile similar to adult but paler underneath with a shorter tail

• Most often seen flying

• Will nest communally in mud nests under bridges, in barns and caves

Similar species:

The barn swallow can be told from all swallows by its deeply forked tail.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Neotropical migrant
Breeding Habitat: N/A
Nest Location: Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 4-5
Length of Incubation: 13-17 days
Days to Fledge: 18-23
Number of Broods: 2
Diet: Exclusively insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
      Su - Summer: June, July, August C
      Fall: September, October, November R

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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