Barn SwallowBarn Swallow -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 6.5 - 7.5 inches | Wingspan: 13 inches | Seasonality: Summer |
| ID Keys: Long forked tail, rusty brown throat and forehead, dark blue upperparts, white belly. | ||
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Barn Swallows are very common summer resident. Very comfortable around human activity, they now primarily nests in and around buildings and bridges. They have probably greatly increased in numbers due to man-induced land cover change. An adult is pictured on the right, while a juvenile is pictured on the bottom.
Habitat: Semi-open country. Nests under/on bridges, barns, houses, culverts, and caves. Feeds over nearly any type of semi-open terrain.
Diet: Mostly flying insects. Only very rarely eats any vegetable matter, usually seeds or berries.
Nesting: Late May through late June
Breeding Map: Breeding bird survey map
Song: Barn Swallow Song, also Barn Swallow Flight Call.
Migrations: Neotropical migrant. Generally migrates very early in the fall.
Similar Species: Cliff Swallow
Status: Generally stable throughout its range
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Barn Swallow
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Barn Swallow"
Photo Information: August 1st, 2004 -- Near Lake Thompson -- Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Barn Swallow photos.
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| South Dakota Status: Common migrant and summer resident throughout the state. |
Proud Member Of:
Range Map Reference: NatureServe
Click here for other references used to compile this page
Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
