Swallow

Hirundo rustica

Swallows are an attractive species with a glossy blue/black upper body and white underparts. They have distinctive red faces and throats plus long tail 'streamers' - male streamers are longer.

Size

17 - 19cm

Weight

16 - 25g

Habitat

Mixed farmland, often near cattle.

Nest

Usually on shelves or beams in buildings such as barns.

Eggs

4-5 red spotted white eggs.

Food

Flies, bees, butterflies and moths.

Voice

Sweet twittering song, a 'swit, swit, swit' call.

Characteristics

A graceful and elegant bird often seen swooping over water looking for insects, the Swallow arrives in the UK in March after a winter in Africa. Before migrating back to Africa huge flocks will gather together on telegraph wires.

BTO Statistics

Swallows are amber-listed as they have suffered moderate declines in recent years. The Swallow's vulnerability is thought to relate to a reduction in insect populations - their main source of food - and a shortage of suitable nesting sites.

Breeding

Nests are cup or half-cup shaped and built with a lot of mud. The incubation period lasts for 14-15 days, fledglings leave the nest 19-21 days after hatching. They are still fed by their parents for another week. Parents are very protective of their young and will mob any predators including cats and magpies and drive them away from the nest.

Feeding

Swallows eat and drink on the wing. However, if there is a shortage of flying insects they will take small invertebrates from the ground.