21-6-2016 BIOPARC,VALENCIA - BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)

Swallows (Hirundo rustica) are remarkable long-distance migrants, flying thousands of miles between their breeding grounds in the UK and their wintering areas in Africa. They undertake this journey twice a year and average 200 miles a day.

Swallows are known for their impressive aerial acrobatics, darting and swooping through the air to catch flying insects. Their agile flight patterns are a key part of their hunting strategy. Swallows can reach impressive speeds during flight, often flying at around 25-30 mph and capable of reaching even higher speeds when pursuing prey or avoiding predators.

Swallows build cup-shaped nests using mud and straw, which they attach to structures like buildings, bridges, and eaves. The nest is lined with grasses and feathers to soften the inside. Swallows often return to the same nesting sites year after year. Research has shown that swallows prefer to nest near areas with high human activity, which is thought to be due to some kind of protection we provide from predators!

During courtship, male swallows will sing enthusiastically to attract a female, and then lead them towards good nesting spots, or an old nest in their territory. Once at the nesting site, they will resume singing and quite often use a type of ‘enticement’ call to attract females. Male swallows mimic the call of a nestling, and this is thought to make females respond positively as they would when caring for nestlings.