Barn Swallow

Taken 4 July 2014, this Barn Swallow had 3 little ones in Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Its striking colors and forked tail make this swallow easy to identify. A swift, erratic flight pattern makes them difficult to photograph in flight, so I was thankful this one took a few minutes to perch now and then - and to feed its young.

The Barn Swallow feeds on the wing, catching insects in flight. They can be found in fields, parks, roadway edges, meadows, marshes and ponds here in the panhandle. They build their mud nests under eaves and bridges, or in sheds and barns.

Barn Swallow.

Barn Swallow, Nest, and Young.

Barn Swallow - Feeding Time.

Barn Swallow

The Barn Swallow is the most common swallow. Most of the northern hemisphere is its breeding range. Its "V" tail and blue upper parts are the most obvious identifiers. The Barn Swallow makes a nest of mud, often attached to man-made buildings. It is a swift and maneuverable bird that eats insects that it catches in flight.


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Barn Swallow

The Barn Swallow can be seen just about anywhere in North America, and the Texas Panhandle is no different. They are the only Swallow with a deeply forked tail. They are fast and highly maneuverable, and it is estimated that they can travel 600 miles in one day searching for food for their young.

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