Barn Swallow

The Barn Swallow is a sleek, aerial insectivore recognized by its deeply forked 'swallow-tail' and cobalt-blue upperparts. These feathers represent the iconic streamers that help the bird perform high-speed acrobatic maneuvers while hunting flies in mid-air.

Deep iridescent blue-black or brownish-black distal tip with a starkly contrasting white subterminal band (the 'window'). The base of the feather remains white or light cream.

Tightly interlocked pennaceous structure throughout the vane for aerodynamic efficiency; plumulaceous (fluffy) barbs are present only at the very base near the calamus.

Smooth, glossy, and aerodynamic. The black portions often exhibit a subtle blue or green structural iridescence when viewed in direct sunlight.

Elongated, needle-like shape; stark black-and-white 'window' pattern; extreme asymmetry of the vane width.

Open country, farmlands, meadows, and marshes. They are highly dependent on human structures like barns, bridges, and culverts for nesting.

Nearly cosmopolitan. Found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia during breeding season; migrates to South America, Africa, and Australia for winter.

High-level insectivore that consumes thousands of flying insects daily. They are important indicators of ecosystem health and insect population balance.

Cliff Swallow feathers lack the long streamers. Tree Swallows lack the white windows in the tail. The Welcome Swallow (Australia) is similar but has a different range.

The length of these tail streamers is a signal of quality; females prefer males with longer, more symmetrical tail feathers as it indicates better health and resistance to parasites.

Excellent condition. The barbs are tightly zipped and the tips show very little wear, suggesting they were molted recently or came from a healthy adult.