Swallows are small birds with dark, glossy-blue backs, red throats, pale underparts and long tail streamers. They are extremely agile in flight and spend most of their time on the wing. They are widespread breeding birds in the Northern Hemisphere, migrating south in winter.
Swallow numbers in the UK have fluctuated over the last 30 years with pronounced regional variation in trends. The species is amber listed due to population declines across Europe.
Key ID Features:
Long, slender wings and deeply forked tail with long outer streamers (shorter in the female), help to separate this from the other hirundines in the UK.
Above the blue/grey tail are dark blue upperparts and cap.
A short, sharp bill sits between a dark rufous forehead and a deep, rust red chin.
A broad, dark neck band sits above peach/buff underparts.
Overview
Scientific name: Hirundo rustica
Family: Swallows and martins (Hirundinidae)
Where to see them:
Swallows are found in areas where there is a ready and accessible supply of small insects. They are particularly fond of open pasture with access to water and quiet farm buildings. Large reedbeds in late summer and early autumn can be good places to look for pre-migration roosts.
Seen in UK:
March to October.
What they eat
A range of small invertebrates.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
