Hirundo rustica, the Barn Swallow, is a widespread migratory passerine belonging to the swallow family (Hirundinidae) — the most widely distributed swallow species in the world — readily recognized by its slender shape, long pointed wings, and deeply forked tail. Its upperparts are dark blue to blue-black with a metallic sheen, while the forehead, chin, and throat are reddish-brown to chestnut. A dark blue band crosses the upper breast, separating the throat from the whitish-to-buff underparts. The elongated outer tail feathers form the characteristic streamers, which are generally longer in adult males than in females. White spots on the tail are visible when it is spread. Adults typically measure 15–19 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 32–34.5 cm and a weight of 16–25 grams.
The Barn Swallow is an aerial insectivore, capturing flying insects in agile, highly maneuverable flight, often close to the ground or water. It commonly forages over open habitats such as agricultural fields, meadows, grasslands, wetlands, and the margins of lakes and other water bodies. Its diet consists mainly of flies, but also includes beetles, bees, wasps, ants, and occasionally butterflies and moths. The species is closely associated with human settlements and frequently uses buildings and other structures for nesting, building an open cup-shaped nest of mud mixed with plant material, usually beneath eaves, rafters, barns, sheds, or bridges.
Hirundo rustica breeds across large parts of Europe, Asia, North America, and northern Africa. Many populations migrate south after the breeding season to wintering areas in tropical and subtropical regions; European populations generally migrate southward in autumn, with many reaching sub-Saharan Africa. Outside the breeding season it can become highly gregarious, gathering in large communal roosts. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.
• Barn Swallow, Common Swallow
• Σταυλοχελίδονο (also spelled Σταβλοχελίδονο)
• Golondrina común
Scientific classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Genus: Hirundo
Species: Hirundo rustica
During our stay in Crete, at the house where we were lodging in Armenoi, Rethymno, I repeatedly observed two Hirundo rustica using the same place as an overnight roost. Each evening, the two birds settled on the head of a bust sculpture positioned against a wall beneath the roof of the house. Once darkness fell, both remained completely still in the same spot throughout the night, returning to it on successive evenings. Their repeated association raised the possibility that they were a pair, although this could not be confirmed from the observation alone. I was unable to determine their sex or whether a nest was located nearby. The consistent use of the same sheltered perch night after night was one of the most distinctive observations of our stay in Crete.
Armenoi, Rethymno, Crete, Greece
Camera: Canon EOS R7
Lens: Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary
Capture Information:
Focal Length: 374.0 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/640
Aperture: f/8.0
ISO: 200
Photo Taken: May 12, 2026
High resolution
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