>> GENERAL >>>>>
– slightly smaller than a sparrow, slimmer and longer winged
– diurnal migrant
– migrates singly, or (more regularly) in small, rather loose flocks; at roosts several hundreds to thousands may flock
– usually not very vocal during migration
>> VISUAL ID >>>>>
Barn Swallow Hirundo r. rustica, M AD
BIF0432, 09/08/2013, Prignitz, Germany, Mathias Putze
– prolonged outer rectrices (longer in M)
Barn Swallow Hirundo r. rustica, M AD
BIF3591, 21/06/2020, Altlußheim, Germany, Mathias Putze
– more slender and elongated than martins
Barn Swallow Hirundo r. rustica, AD
BIF3573, 08/08/2021, Rostock, Germany, Roland Neumann
– uniform shining black-blue upperside, tail somewhat duller
– probably M, sexing using length of outer rectrices not always possible
Barn Swallow Hirundo r. rustica, M AD
BIF0433, 09/08/2013, Prignitz, Germany, Mathias Putze
– rusty red chin and upper throat together with the black band at the upper breast lead to a dark-headed impression
– underwing with creamy white coverts distinctly contrasting to dark remiges
Barn Swallow Hirundo r. rustica, M AD
BIF0434, 09/08/2013, Prignitz, Germany, Mathias Putze
– from below the body including the undertail coverts off-white (black vent in Red-rumped Swallow)
Barn Swallow Hirundo r. rustica, F AD
BIF3560, 22/07/2021, Bad Segeberg, Germany, Roland Neumann
– tail streamers shorter in F than in M
Barn Swallow Hirundo r. rustica, 1CY
BIF0435, 09/08/2013, Prignitz, Germany, Mathias Putze
– 1CY paler and duller overall, contrast between pale rusty throat and dark breast band more pronounced than in AD
– tail less forked because of the only slightly elongated outer rectrices
Barn Swallow Hirundo r. rustica, 1CY
BIF0504, 11/07/2010, Valencia, Spain, Mathias Putze
– when fanned out the white tail markings become visible
Barn Swallow Hirundo r. rustica, 1CY
BIF3107, 29/08/2018, Rostock, Germany, Roland Neumann
– older 1CY resemble AD F but tail streamers still shorter
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica tytleri, AD F
BIF1963, 08/06/2016, Hatgal, Mongolia, Mathias Putze
– F with shorter tail streamers than M
– in Eastern ssp. tytleri body and underwing coverts are buffish to dull orange
>> ACOUSTIC ID >>>>>
– short, monosyllabic, steeply upslurred calls
– uttered singly or in series
– may also sing during (spring) migration
– differences between AD and JUV discernable with naked ears (AD like ‘tshet’, JUV more like ‘tshit’) – JUV calls usually less steep
– overview –
– detail –
Barn Swallow Hirundo r. rustica, AD, calls in flight
BIF0436, 14/08/2008, Tenneloh, Germany, Patrick Franke
– overview –
– detail –
Barn Swallow Hirundo r. rustica, AD, JUV, calls in flight
BIF2222, 26/07/2017, Krienke, Germany, Patrick Franke
– overview –
– detail –
Barn Swallow Hirundo r. rustica, AD, JUV, calls in flight
BIF2223, 26/07/2017, Krienke, Germany, Patrick Franke
>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>
Red-rumped Swallow (v)
Common House Martin (v)
Sand Martin (v)
Eurasian Crag Martin (v)
Pale Crag Martin (v)
Brown-throated Martin (v)
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