Swallow
Hirundo rustica
The Swallow is a common migrant breeder in Britain, typically seen from April to October, with peak numbers observed during the summer months. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including farmland, urban areas, and coastal regions.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Swallow in the field.
The Swallow can be identified by its sleek, forked tail, blue-black upperparts with a distinctive reddish-brown forehead and throat patch, and a white underside with a dark breast band. Its wings are long and pointed, with a rapid, agile flight.
The Swallow is slightly smaller than a House Sparrow, with a length of approximately 17-19 cm.
The male Swallow has a glossy blue-black back, wings, and tail, with a reddish-brown forehead, throat, and breast, and a white belly and undertail coverts, with a dark breast band separating the white and reddish-brown areas.
The female Swallow is similar to the male, but with slightly duller and less intense colours, and a shorter tail.
The Swallow's call is a sharp, high-pitched "tweet" or "cheep", often repeated in a series, while its song is a melodic, chirping phrase, typically sung by males from a perch or during flight.
Swallows are highly aerial birds, feeding on insects in mid-air, and can be seen performing rapid, agile flights in pursuit of prey, often near water or in areas with high insect activity.
The Swallow can be confused with the House Martin, but can be distinguished by its forked tail and reddish-brown forehead and throat patch, which are lacking in the House Martin.
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