Barn Swallow Bird Sound, Nest, Habitat, and Identification Guide

Adult Barn Swallow (American)

Photo Credit
Paul Reeves/Shutterstock
Written By: Tom Warren Birder
Barn Swallow Calls (160.17 KB)

Hear the song of the Barn Swallow, one of the most common and recognizable birds in the world. This small swallow bird flies low over fields, meadows, and water, catching insects in midair and building nests in barns and buildings. Learn how to identify the Barn Swallow, hear its bird sound, and discover where it lives.

What Is a Barn Swallow?

The Barn Swallow is one of the most common bird species in the world. They may look like a sparrow as their size is similar, but just look for their distinctive long, pointed wings and forked tail. The bird’s body is usually a tawny or cinnamon color, as is the color beneath the wings. From above, the body and wings are a beautiful steely or deep blue. The head is a darker tawny or rusty color with a steely blue cap. 

Where Do Barn Swallows Nest?

Just as their name suggests, the barn swallow builds their small nests under the eaves of barns—as well as under porches, stables, bridges, and other buildings. Long ago, they nested exclusively in caves! Since they make their small cup-shaped nests out of mud, there must be a source of mud nearby (such as a river bank).

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Barn Swallow nest with chicks in barn
Barn Swallow nest built under barn roof with chicks inside
Photo: Shutterstock

How Barn Swallows Catch Insects

It’s amazing to watch Barn Swallows feed. They fly just above the ground to catch insects in the air. Their flight isn’t fluid, but bursts of straight flight, quick turns, and dives. 

What Does a Barn Swallow Sound Like?

The song of the swallow are classic warbling sounds, often lasting 5 to 20 seconds, interrupted by short mechanical-sounding whirrs. To us, it sounds quite chatty! Click the arrow above to listen. 

Have you heard a Barn Swallow? Add your comments below. Be sure to let us know where you live or where you’ve heard this bird sound before!

Bird sound compliments of The Macaulay Library at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Click here to listen to the sounds of other birds!

Bird Sounds
About The Author
Tom Warren

Tom Warren

Birder

Tom Warren is a graduate of Harvard College and earned an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. After serving in the US Army, he became a compensation professional. He has had...
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Comments

<span>Kathleen Rhue</span> Sat, 10/09/2021 - 21:41
Barn swallows return every year to the Island. I have a pair that builds the nest inside the goat barn over the door. Messy. Yes! I close the barn door at night because of predators. That pair knows when to come in or get locked out until morning. Some evenings they are perched on the rain gutter then swoop in as I approach to close the door. They have had hatchlings every year. I love their color and the fact they love to eat mosquitos.
<span>Nate Frost</span> Sat, 10/09/2021 - 20:15
I grew up with an old barn that was so "well ventilated" that it was impossible to keep the barn swallows out. There were so many of them that everything in the barn was always covered with their droppings, and the sound of their chirping was a constant cacophony that rose to a wild crescendo whenever we entered. I wish I could say I enjoyed them, but we looked forward to their departure in the fall. They stopped coming back at about the same time a flock of pigeons moved in, which was even messier!
<span>Jacqueline Amabile</span> Sat, 10/09/2021 - 12:20
I must say I love these little birds! In fact so much when we had our house repainted, I would not let them knock the nests down (the birds got a new paint job too!). I love to watch them fly and hear their distinctive calls. I have 2 nests on each side of my porch and one in my basement. So this 2021 year I had 6 batches of chicks to admire! I can’t wait for them to return next year. P.S. Sometimes they are even house guests! Gustine, California
<span>Connie Balderson</span> Sat, 10/09/2021 - 08:37
Hello, we live in Mount St Patrick in Dacre, Ontario and we are lucky enough to have barn swallows they have had two sets of babies this summer both in a high tree and in our shed. They return to the same nest every year:)