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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. XLVII
Field-journal plate: Barn Swallow
The Barn Swallow plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate XLVII

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

Hirundinidae · Taxon 11901

Length15–19 cm (5.9–7.5 in)
Wingspan29–32 cm (11.4–12.6 in)
Weight17–20 g (0.6–0.7 oz)

Field marks

  1. Slender, streamlined swallow with very long, narrow, pointed wings.
  2. Adult tail is long and deeply forked, with elongated outer streamers extending beyond the wingtips.
  3. Steely blue to blue-black crown, back, wings, and tail.
  4. Cinnamon to chestnut forehead and throat contrast with the dark blue face.
  5. Underparts range from tawny or buff to pale; small white spots beneath the tail may show in flight.
  6. Short, dark, broad-based bill and small dark legs.

HabitatOpen and semi-open country, including fields, grasslands, marshes, ponds, and coastal water; commonly forages over open ground or water and nests on sheltered human-made structures such as eaves, buildings, and bridges.

BehaviorAerial insectivore; catches flying insects in agile, low, swooping flight with quick turns and little gliding.

Palette

steely blueblue-blackcinnamon chestnuttawny buffwhite