Barn
Swallow – (Hirundo Rustica)
© 2006 - Walter Bauer - San Antonio, Texas
(Click on picture to enlarge)
Field Marks: This bird is about 6 ¾” in length. Adults of both sexes have dark bluish back, dark wings, long, deeply forked tail. The males have rusty or buff under parts and a chestnut throat and forehead. Females and Immature are similar but paler.
Voice: Song complex combines clear notes, twitters, and gurgles. The call is a soft wit wit or emphatic slip slip.
Where found: Breeds from Alaska across Canada to Newfoundland south through the United States. These birds winter in South America.
Texas: Migrant (Mar. – June, July – Nov) throughout. Winters occasionally along the Texas coast.
Habitat: Open country, farms, fields, marshes, lakes, etc.
Nest: An open mud cup lined with feathers, on ledge, bridge, beam, or building. Eggs (3-5) speckled.