Barn Swallow Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (2024)

Table of Contents
Barn Swallow Photos and Videos Compare with Similar Species Looking for ID Help? The Four Keys to ID Relative Size MeasurementsBoth SexesLength: 5.9-7.5 in (15-19 cm)Weight: 0.6-0.7 oz (17-20 g)Wingspan: 11.4-12.6 in (29-32 cm)

Barn Swallow Photos and Videos

Adult (American)The most widespread and abundant swallow in the world, recognizable by its long, deeply forked tail and dark blue upperparts. Different subspecies groups vary in size, throat and underpart color, and length of tail streamers.

© Mason Maron / Macaulay LibraryWashington, April 24, 2020

Adult (American)Adult "American" Barn Swallows have a rusty forehead and throat, an incomplete breast band, and cinnamon underparts.
AdultUpperparts are usually steely blue, but color changes with angle of light. Note long wings. At some times of year, some individuals lack the long tail streamers.

© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, December 01, 2005

Adult (White-bellied)Adult "White-bellied" Barn Swallows breeding in Europe, North Africa, and western Asia have a whitish belly and a thick blue band across the chest.

© Erkki Lehtovirta / Macaulay LibrarySouthwest Finland, June 19, 2019

Adult (White-bellied)Males and females are similar in appearance, but males have longer outer tail feathers than females

© Pavel Štěpánek / Macaulay LibraryZlínský kraj, May 12, 2018

Adults (American)Both males and females help build the nest, using pellets of mud combined with dry grasses.
Adult (Buff-bellied)Adult "Buff-bellied" Barn Swallows breeding in East Asia are similar to "American" Barn Swallows in appearance, but have a larger rusty throat patch.

© Itamar Donitza / Macaulay LibraryMae Hong Son, March 25, 2015

Adult (Tytler's)Adult "Tytler's" Barn Swallows breeding in Siberia and northern Mongolia have reddish-orange underparts and a narrow, sometimes-broken breast band.
See Also
Hinterland Who's Who - Barn SwallowBarn Swallow Nesting (All You Need To Know)Bird Sounds: Barn SwallowBarn Swallow Habits, Nesting, Feeding, Breeding, And Calls
Adults (American)Often forages in flocks, fairly low to the ground. Flight is very light and agile, with quick turns and little gliding.
Adult (Levant)Adult "Levant" Barn Swallows breeding in western Asia have rich orange underparts and a thick blue breast band.
Adult (Egyptian)Adult "Egyptian" Barn Swallows have dark reddish-orange underparts and a thick dark blue breast band.

© Fabio Olmos / Macaulay LibraryQina, December 24, 2023

JuvenilesNests are made of mud and grass and usually placed under eaves, barn rafter, bridges, and culverts.

© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, August 10, 2012

Adult (American)Slender-bodied with a long, deeply forked tail. From below, the underparts vary from pale cinnamon or tawny to bright cinnamon.

© Ad Konings / Macaulay LibraryTexas, August 20, 2020

Adult (American)Flies with fluid wingbeats making quick turns and dives; rarely glides. Tail is long and deeply forked with a white band across it.
Adult (White-bellied)In flight, note "White-bellied" Barn Swallows' white underparts and white underwing coverts.
Juvenile (American)Juvenile "American" Barn Swallows are dark above and pale cinnamon below with a rich rusty throat and forehead. Their tail is also shorter without the deep fork.

© Farshad Pourmalek / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, July 10, 2019

Immature (Levant)Immatures are duller than adults and have shorter tails.
Juvenile (White-bellied)Juvenile "White-bellied" Barn Swallows have a white belly and tawny throat. The tail is also shorter without the deep fork.
Juvenile (American)Preferred nest sites include eaves, rafters, and cross beams of barns, sheds and stables, as well as the undersides of bridges, wharfs, and culverts.

© Laure Wilson Neish / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, July 15, 2013

Adult (American)Long and slender with a deeply forked tail. In "American" Barn Swallows, the color of the underparts varies from buffy to rich cinnamon with the females typically having paler underparts.
Adult (American)Collects mud in bill to build a mud and grass nest—often tucked under the eaves of barns and stables, on structures near playing fields, or under bridges.

© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 23, 2017

Flock (American)Often seen in flocks in open habitats from fields, parks, and roadway edges to marshes, meadows, ponds, and coastal waters.

© George Gerdts / Macaulay LibraryWashington, August 12, 2017

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

Cliff Swallow

Cave Swallow

Tree Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

Chimney Swift

Vaux's Swift

Looking for ID Help?

Our free app offers quick ID help with global coverage.

Try Merlin Bird ID

The Four Keys to ID

  • When perched, the sparrow-sized Barn Swallow appears cone shaped, with a slightly flattened head, no visible neck, and broad shoulders that taper to long, pointed wings. The tail extends well beyond the wingtips and the long outer feathers give the tail a deep fork.

    Relative Size

    Slightly smaller than a bluebird; slightly larger than a Tree Swallow

    Barn Swallow Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (29)Barn Swallow Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (30)sparrow-sized or smaller

    Measurements
    • Both Sexes
      • Length: 5.9-7.5 in (15-19 cm)
      • Weight: 0.6-0.7 oz (17-20 g)
      • Wingspan: 11.4-12.6 in (29-32 cm)

  • Color Pattern
  • Behavior
  • Habitat
Barn Swallow Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (2024)
Top Articles
Menu at Luca's Ristorante pizzeria, North Brunswick Township, NJ-27
20 Best Restaurants in New Brunswick, NJ
Where To Go After Howling Pit Code Vein
Metallica - Blackened Lyrics Meaning
Maria Dolores Franziska Kolowrat Krakowská
Faint Citrine Lost Ark
The Daily News Leader from Staunton, Virginia
30 Insanely Useful Websites You Probably Don't Know About
THE 10 BEST Women's Retreats in Germany for September 2024
Southeast Iowa Buy Sell Trade
Autobell Car Wash Hickory Reviews
Costco in Hawthorne (14501 Hindry Ave)
Encore Atlanta Cheer Competition
Jet Ski Rental Conneaut Lake Pa
Brenna Percy Reddit
4Chan Louisville
Dusk
Trini Sandwich Crossword Clue
Current Time In Maryland
Moviesda3.Com
Kiddle Encyclopedia
Erica Banks Net Worth | Boyfriend
Ppm Claims Amynta
Reicks View Farms Grain Bids
Dtm Urban Dictionary
Culver's.comsummerofsmiles
Arlington Museum of Art to show shining, shimmering, splendid costumes from Disney Archives
Cinema | Düsseldorfer Filmkunstkinos
Dell 22 FHD-Computermonitor – E2222H | Dell Deutschland
417-990-0201
Publix Coral Way And 147
Franklin Villafuerte Osorio
Great Clips On Alameda
Selfservice Bright Lending
Consume Oakbrook Terrace Menu
Xemu Vs Cxbx
Pillowtalk Podcast Interview Turns Into 3Some
Bismarck Mandan Mugshots
7543460065
Lyca Shop Near Me
Doordash Promo Code Generator
Craigslist Freeport Illinois
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten Gogoanime
Engr 2300 Osu
Best GoMovies Alternatives
Peace Sign Drawing Reference
N33.Ultipro
Sam's Club Gas Price Sioux City
Skyward Login Wylie Isd
Strange World Showtimes Near Century Federal Way
Sdn Dds
Selly Medaline
Latest Posts
(Watch Full) Kelsey and Dab's Leaked Video Viral on Twitter and Reddit
Menu en foto's - Restaurant Zilver
Article information

Author: Rob Wisoky

Last Updated:

Views: 6175

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rob Wisoky

Birthday: 1994-09-30

Address: 5789 Michel Vista, West Domenic, OR 80464-9452

Phone: +97313824072371

Job: Education Orchestrator

Hobby: Lockpicking, Crocheting, Baton twirling, Video gaming, Jogging, Whittling, Model building

Introduction: My name is Rob Wisoky, I am a smiling, helpful, encouraging, zealous, energetic, faithful, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.