THIS is one of five species of swallow found in our area and, although they can often gather in exceptionally large flocks, sometimes reaching over a million birds, you are more likely to see individuals here as there are no significant roosting sites in the Upper Highway.
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Description
They are relatively small birds with a length of approximately 20cm and a weight of 20g. They can be reasonably identified by their chestnut rufus throat and forehead. This also includes a blue-black breast band that separates the rufus section from the clean white belly and flank. The upper parts are an attractive, glossy, steel-blue colour and the tail is deeply forked. Males and females are almost identical.
Distribution
Barn Swallows are a migrant species that arrive in September and most will leave by the end March. They can be found across the whole of South Africa, and most will move to breeding grounds in North America and Eurasia
Habitat
They are very adaptable and cover a wide range of habitats across South Africa, but appear most at home in areas with open grasslands, cultivated areas and open water.
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