Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica.

Urban Birds of the Park, Gardens, and Surrounding areas of the city of Loja – Ecuador. 44 bird species . Illustrated by Pablo Andrade. Work supported by Jan Hinloopen.

Distribution.

The Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica isa common and whide spread transient (specially Sep, november, feb, april, ehen sometimes in large numbers) and boreal winter visitant to open areas, especially in lowlands but can occur almost anywhere when migranting; most numerous in southwest. In the city of Loja has been seen in Laguna de Jipiro.

Description .- 14 – 16.5 cm. 

Tail long and deeply forked (shorter in juveniles and molting adults, but some fork always evident) with white spots on inner webs. Steely blue above; mostly cinnamon – buff to buffy whitish below, throat more richly colored and at least partially outlined by blackish blue. Breeding plumage males most deeply colored; juveniles and worn adults duller above and paler below. 

Habits.

Feeds over open terrain, often around or over water and regularly with other swallow (specially other migrants); passage birds fly purposefully low over ground, sometimes in endless streams. Often perches on wires, and may roost in large numbers in sugarcane fields.

Information taken from the book Birds Of Ecuador of Robert Ridgely and Paul Greenfield