The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a medium-sized songbird characterized by its long, forked tail and pointed wings. These aerial acrobats have blue upperparts, a rusty throat, and a pale underside. Barn swallows are found on every continent except Antarctica. They breed in temperate areas across the Northern Hemisphere and spend the winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Read on to learn more about where barn swallows can be found and their geographic range.
Where are barn swallows found in North America?
Barn swallows breed throughout most of North America. Their breeding range extends from Alaska across Canada and the contiguous United States, south through Mexico. Some key details about their distribution in North America include:
- In Alaska, they breed along the coast and inland near waterways and lakes.
- They breed across most of Canada, with their northern limit around the treeline.
- In the contiguous United States, they breed in suitable habitat across the lower 48 states.
- They are also found breeding on many islands in the Caribbean.
- In Mexico, they breed south to the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz.
During migration and winter, barn swallows from North America can be found throughout Central and South America. Their winter range extends from Mexico south to Peru and Brazil. Some birds may even continue as far south as central Argentina.
Key breeding habitats
Within their broad breeding range across North America, barn swallows seek out several key habitats:
- Open areas near water – They frequently nest near lakes, rivers, and other wetlands where insects are abundant.
- Agricultural settings – Barns, stables, and other structures on farms provide ideal nesting sites.
- Bridges and culverts – Constructed structures over water or ravines are regularly used for nest sites.
- Coastal regions – Nesting occurs in both natural cliffs and piers or docks.
Habitat loss has led to declining barn swallow populations in some regions. Providing artificial nest structures can help attract them.
Distribution in Europe and Asia
Barn swallows have an extensive range across Europe and Asia. Here are some details on where they can be found:
Europe
Barn swallows breed across most of Europe. Their breeding range extends as far north as northern Scandinavia and as far west as Iceland. To the south, they breed throughout the Mediterranean region. Important breeding areas include:
- Northern areas of Scandinavia
- The British Isles
- Mainland Europe from France eastward
- Mediterranean regions including Spain, Italy and Greece
During the winter, most European breeding birds migrate south to Africa. However, some may only migrate as far as southern Europe.
Asia
The breeding range of barn swallows in Asia is very extensive:
- They breed across Russia, from eastern Siberia to the Kamchatka Peninsula.
- Other northern areas occupied in summer include Mongolia, northern China and Japan.
- They breed south through central and southern China and tropical Southeast Asia.
- The southern limit of their breeding range includes Sri Lanka and southern India.
Winters are spent from tropical Asia south to Australia. Barn swallows are even found in New Zealand in the southern hemisphere summer.
Breeding in Africa
While many barn swallows from Europe and Asia winter in Africa, the species is also an endemic breeder:
- In northern Africa, breeding populations are found in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
- Scattered populations occur in West Africa and down the Nile Valley.
- In southern Africa, populations breed in South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland.
The resident African populations do not migrate. However, their populations can fluctuate depending on rainfall and other conditions.
Distribution in Australia and Pacific Islands
Australia and nearby islands support both breeding and non-breeding barn swallow populations:
- Barn swallows breed across the northern and eastern parts of Australia.
- They are found year-round in New Zealand, breeding during the southern summer.
- Migratory birds from Asia overwinter in Australia and islands like New Caledonia and Fiji.
Interestingly, no barn swallows are found on Pacific islands east of Fiji due to their remote location.
Worldwide range and populations
On a global scale, the barn swallow has an extremely widespread distribution, occurring on every continent except Antarctica. The worldwide population is estimated at 190-220 million individuals. Their global population trend appears to be decreasing. However, barn swallows remain abundant over much of their habitat range. Maintaining suitable nesting sites will be key to continued success of these long-distance migrants.
Conclusion
In summary, the barn swallow can be found across most of the world’s temperate and tropical regions. Their breeding range spans North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Northern hemisphere populations migrate south for the winter, while tropical and southern hemisphere birds are year-round residents. Protecting wetlands, coastal areas and agricultural lands will help provide habitat for barn swallow populations into the future. Though still common in many areas, their declines in portions of their range highlights the need for continued monitoring and conservation.