Swallows are small birds with dark glossy blue backs, red throats, pale under parts and long distinctive tail streamers.

They are extremely agile in flight and spend most of their time on the wing.

They are widespread breeding birds in the Northern Hemisphere, migrating south in winter.

Recent declines due to loss of habitat quality in both their breeding and wintering grounds mean they are an Amber List species.

Latin name

Hirundo rustica

Family

Swallows and martins (Hirundinidae)

Where to see them

Swallows are found in areas where there is a ready and accessible supply of small insects. They are particularly fond of open pasture with access to water and quiet farm buildings. Large reedbeds in late summer and early autumn can be good places to look for pre-migration roosts.

When to see them

March to October.

What they eat

A range of small invertebrates.

Click on any of the birds below to find out all you need to know!

• The Barn Owl
• The Blackbird
• The Canada Goose
• The Golden Eagle
• The Herring Gull
• The Magpie
• The Puffin
• The Robin
• The Swallow
• The Swift

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