Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is in the Swallows and Martins family (Hirundinidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 71,375 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Barn Swallow: observations by month (U.S.)

About Barn Swallow

The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. In Anglophone Europe it is just called the swallow; in Northern Europe it is the only common species called a "swallow" rather than a "martin".From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Barn Swallow by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Swallows and Martins)

Tree SwallowTachycineta bicolor

Cliff SwallowPetrochelidon pyrrhonota

Purple MartinProgne subis

Northern Rough-winged SwallowStelgidopteryx serripennis

Violet-green SwallowTachycineta thalassina

Bank SwallowRiparia riparia

Cave SwallowPetrochelidon fulva

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ