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Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

General Description: Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) are birds of the open sky that feed on the wing and don't often perch where you can get a good look at them. In flight, Barn Swallows are dark black above and rusty red below. The tail is long and forked.

Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Hirundinidae, Hirundininae.

Favored Habitat: Swallows are birds of the open sky that feed on the wing. They can be found in most habitats as they pass through the Las Vegas area during migration.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Where to Find: Swallow can be found anywhere, but look for them over open marshy areas and water. Look for them at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, the meadow at Calico Basin, and the pasture at Corn Creek.

Comments: Swifts and swallows can sometimes be hard to tell apart in flight. The key is the way they fly. Swallows flap their wings like normal birds -- both wings go up and down at the same time. Swifts do this too, but they flap so quickly that the wings appear to move in opposite directions with one wing going up while the other goes down -- their flight appears to be more of a swimming motion.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) If you were a tasty flying insect, this might be the last face you ever see!
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Barn Swallow: red below, black above, and long, forked tail
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Barn Swallow adult
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Note the pattern: dark head and throat, light belly, forked tail
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Barn Swallow in flight
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Barn Swallow nest in a bathroom entrance
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Barn Swallow nest in a bathroom entrance atop security camera
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Barn Swallow nestlings napping before the next meal
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Barn Swallow nestlings waiting for the next meal
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Barn Swallow nestlings: these guys want food -- NOW!
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Nestlings nearly ready to fledge
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Barn Swallow fledgling
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Barn Swallow fledgling
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240120

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