When Do Barn Swallows Migrate
Barn swallows migrate to north america in early spring.
When do barn swallows migrate. The barn swallow with its distinctive long forked tail makes it one of the easier north american swallows to identify. Migrating swallows cover 200 miles a day mainly during daylight at speeds of 17 22 miles per hour. Glistening cobalt blue above and tawny below barn swallows dart gracefully over fields barnyards and open water in search of flying insect prey.
Barn swallow habits nesting feeding migration. Barn swallows often cruise low flying just a few inches above the ground or water. At night they roost in huge flocks in reed beds at traditional stopover spots.
The maximum flight speed is 35 mph. Barn swallow hirundo rustica landing on a post on the island of skomer off the pembrokeshire coast in wales uk credit. In northern europe it is the only common species called a swallow rather than a martin.
As late fall approaches and winter chills begin the birds start their travels south. In their wintering areas swallows feed in small flocks which join together to form roosting flocks of thousands of. Southbound fall migration may begin by late june in florida or early july in massachusetts.
It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts and a long deeply forked tail it is found in europe asia africa and the americas. Swallows undertake an impressive 6000 mile migration between the uk and south africa twice a year in search of food. Where do swallows migrate to.
When flying the feathers are swept back and form a single long point behind the bird. Indeed it is now rare to find a barn swallow nest in a site that is not manmade. As barn swallows finish nesting they are starting to gather in migratory groups.
The barn swallow hirundo rustica is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. One of our most familiar birds in rural areas and semi open country this swallow is often seen skimming low over fields with a flowing graceful flight. Since swallows feed entirely on flying insects they don t need to fatten up before leaving but can snap up their food along the way.
Peak nesting most baby barn swallows are born in june. Peak fall migration for barn swallows over much of canada and the us. Migration is a hazardous time and many birds die from starvation exhaustion and in storms.
Look for the long deeply forked tail that streams out behind this agile flyer and sets it apart from all other north american swallows. Young stay with their parents during migration. Here they will nest and breed often returning to the same locations and reusing the same nests for years.
Some migrants leave northern areas. Swallows migrate during daylight flying quite low and covering about 320 km 200 miles each day. They return as early as late january in southern california to mid may at alaskan breeding sites.
