Barn Swallows – Hirundo rustica- is the most
widespread species of swallow in the world. Adults migrate long distances to
their wintering grounds. An abundant summer visitor to Southern
Africa. Adults may live to10 years. Its preferred habitat is open
country with low vegetation, such as pasture, meadows and farmland, preferably
with nearby water.
Description
The adult male has steel blue
upperparts and a rufous forehead, chin and throat, which are separated from the
off-white underparts by a broad dark blue breast band. The outer tail feathers
are elongated; giving the distinctive deeply forked "swallow tail."
There is a line of white spots across the outer end of the upper tail.
The female is similar in
appearance to the male, but the tail streamers are shorter, the blue of the
upperparts and breast band is less glossy and the underparts paler. The
juvenile is browner and has a paler rufous face and whiter underparts. It also
lacks the long tail streamers of the adult.
Call
The song of the Barn Swallow is a
cheerful warble, often ending with su-seer with the second note higher than the
first but falling in pitch. Calls include witt or witt-witt and a loud
splee-plink when excited.
Food
Mainly insects caught on the
wing. A diverse range of insects including Mosquitoes, flies and moths. These
swallows also drink on the wing, dipping beaks into the water in flight.
Breeding
The male Barn Swallow returns to
the breeding grounds before the females and selects a nest site, which is then
advertised to females with a circling flight and song. The breeding success of
the male is related to the length of the tail streamers, with longer streamers
being more attractive to the female.
Females build cup shaped nests
out of mud and grasses usually against a hard vertical surface, such as eaves
of buildings or under bridges. They often choose the same nest site year
after year. Females lay three to five eggs that they incubate for two to
three weeks. After hatching, the chicks will remain in the nest for
another three to four weeks before fledging. Adults will rear two broods each
year, depending on the weather and supply of insects.
Birdwatching
This beautiful swallow can be
seen on the following Aves Birding Tours
/ Safaris/Adventures: -
Aves Arid Birding Tour / Safari.
Aves Eastern Cape Birding
Tour / Safari.
Aves Highlands / Tembe Birding Tour / Safari.
Aves KZN Birding Tour / Safari.
Aves North East Birding Tour /
Safari.
Aves North West Birding Tour / Safari.
Aves Western Cape Birding
Tour / Safari.
Aves West Coast Birding Tour /
Safari.