MigrantWatch
MigrantWatch archive (2007–2015)
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Barn Swallow

Scientific name

Hirundo rustica

Size

About that of a quail.

Distinguishing characteristics

Look for a dark blue neck, pale, unstreaked belly and a deeply forked tail. Similar species, the Hill Swallow (Hirundo domicola) of the Western Ghats, and the House Swallow (Hirundo tahitica) in the Andaman and Nicobar have relatively greyer bellies and more shallowly forked tails. Can be seen roosting on telegraph wires when they arrive. Often found hawking insects over water bodies.

Winter distribution

Winter visitor to the entire Subcontinent including the islands.
Design: Pavithra Sankaran. MigrantWatch is a project of the Citizen Science Programme of NCBS in association with Indian Birds Journal