Barn Swallow
Scientific Name: Hirundo rusticaMaltese Name: Huttafa
Family: Martins and Swallows(Hirundinidae)
Occurence: Very Common migrant
Breeds in Malta: Yes
Breeding Frequency: Scarce and Localized
Overview:
A hirundine which is very popular throughout Europe with people. It has a dark cap with a reddish chin, dark blue upper parts and whitish under parts and a deeply forked tail with 2 long ‘’v’’ shaped streamers which are very evident when flying. Before migrating in Autumn Barn Swallows gather in large numbers to migrate together. They are often seen perching on wires and occasionally mixed with other Hirundines like House Martins and Sand Martins. It flies low, catching insects in flight. In Autumn Swallows migrate to the south of Africa crossing the Sahara Desert and in Spring they fly back up again to Europe to their breeding grounds. A very difficult test of fitness and stamina for such a small bird. Swallows often breed in abandoned buildings in rural areas. They make their nest in cup shape out of mud.
Status and Distribution:
The Barn Swallow is a very common migrant, both in spring and autumn, often seen in huge flocks at sunset on their way to roost. As a breeder it is quite rare, with a few pairs breeding in Malta and Gozo. Used to be a much rarer breeder in the past. It was first mentioned as a breeding bird in 1843 by Antonio Schembri. Then in 1974, a pair successfully bred in an old man's house at Imqabba, this was the first confirmed record. Lately, it has become an annual breeder in certain localities and new breeding sites are being discovered each year.
When to See:
Autumn (Sep-Oct) and in Spring (March-May). Breeding birds present also in summer.
Where to See:
May be seen everywhere. Roost in large numbers in places with reeds. Girgenti Valley and Simar Nature Reserve are 2 of the best roosting places for swallows.
Photographs:
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Male Barn Swallow, Simar Nature Reserve |
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| Swallow nest (2nd Breeding Record), 29th July 1995 | Swallow nest, September 2004, Buskett |
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Swallow nest, Tas-Sellum (Mellieha), 15th July 2006 |
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| Swallow nest, Sannat (Gozo), 23rd June 2007 | Swallow nest, Buskett, 9th August 2007 |
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Barn Swallow in flight, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
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| Swallow nest, Buskett, 9th August 2007 | Swallow nest, Marsaxlokk, August 2007 |
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Barn Swallow in flight, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
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| Swallow, Possible ssp.savignii/transitiva, 29th April 2006, Ghadira Nature Reserve | Roosting Swallows, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
Listen to Swallow:
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