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.