Image via Macaulay Library
Barn Swallow
- Scientific name
- Hirundo rustica
- Family
- Hirundinidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Urban suburban
- Wing shape
- Pointed
- Tail shape
- Forked
Where it came from
The barn swallow, Hirundo rustica, is a passerine bird found across most of the world. Evolutionarily, this species adapted to human-altered landscapes, famously nesting in man-made structures like barns and bridges. Their physical design is defined by long, pointed wings and deeply forked tail feathers, both of which serve as highly efficient aerodynamic adaptations for the high-speed, acrobatic aerial insect hunting that characterizes their life cycle.
The species has long been a subject of interest in natural history, appearing frequently in folklore and early ornithological studies as a harbinger of seasonal change. Ornithologists have historically noted that the barn swallow’s ability to thrive in close proximity to human agricultural activity has made it one of the most studied and recognizable avian subjects in the Northern Hemisphere, valued for both its aesthetic grace and its role in natural pest control.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Barn Swallow
Barn Swallow is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Barn Swallow on collecto.rs?
Barn Swallow doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Barn Swallow?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Barn Swallow catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Barn Swallow is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
