Barn Swallow Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Cliff Swallow
Adult
Cliff Swallows share the Barn Swallow's glossy blue upperparts and rusty throat, but the forehead is pale (not rusty) and the rump is cream (not dark blue).
© Dorian Anderson | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 02, 2017Similar Species
Cave Swallow
Adult
Cave Swallows have a paler rusty throat than Barn Swallows. Cave Swallows also have a square tail, lacking the Barn Swallow's forked tail.
© Joshua Covill | Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 28, 2017Similar Species
Tree Swallow
Adult male
Tree Swallows lack the Barn Swallow's deeply forked tail and they have bright white (not cinnamon) underparts.
© Phil McNeil | Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 20, 2017Similar Species
Violet-green Swallow
Adult male
Violet-green Swallows lack the Barn Swallow's deeply forked tail and they have bright white (not cinnamon) underparts.
© Jason B Bidgood | Macaulay LibraryColorado, April 30, 2016Similar Species
Chimney Swift
Adult/immature
Chimney Swifts have narrower, more curved wings and fly with much stiffer wingbeats than Barn Swallows. They are brown below unlike Barn Swallows which have tawny to cinnamon underparts.
© Steve Calver | Macaulay LibraryGeorgia, June 08, 2017Similar Species
Vaux's Swift
Adult/immature
Vaux's Swifts have narrower, more curved wings and fly with much stiffer wingbeats than Barn Swallows. They are brown below unlike Barn Swallows which have tawny to cinnamon underparts.
© Roger Zachary | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 29, 2017Main Species
Barn Swallow
Adult (American)
Sparrow-sized swallow with broad shoulders that taper to long, pointed wings. Adult males have a steely blue back, wings, and tail, and tawny underparts. The throat and forehead is rusty.
© Mason Maron | Macaulay LibraryWashington, April 24, 2020Adult (American)
Adults are brightly marked in deep blue, rusty, and cinnamon. Note long forked tail.
© Ryan Sanderson | Macaulay LibraryIndiana, June 03, 2020Adult
Upperparts are usually steely blue, but color changes with angle of light. Note long wings. At some times of year, some individuals lack the long tail streamers.
© Larry Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, December 01, 2005Not all videos have sound
Adult (White-bellied)
European birds have a whitish belly and a thick blue band across the chest.
© Erkki Lehtovirta | Macaulay LibrarySouthwest Finland, June 19, 2019Adults (American)
Both males and females help build the nest, using pellets of mud combined with dry grasses.
© Larry Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryTexasNot all videos have sound
Adults (American)
Often forages in flocks, fairly low to the ground. Flight is very light and agile, with quick turns and little gliding.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 27, 1997Not all videos have sound
Adult (American)
Slender-bodied with a long, deeply forked tail. From below, the underparts vary from pale cinnamon or tawny to bright cinnamon.
© Ad Konings | Macaulay LibraryTexas, August 20, 2020Juveniles
Nests are made of mud and grass and usually placed under eaves, barn rafter, bridges, and culverts.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, August 10, 2012Not all videos have sound
Adult (American)
Flies with fluid wingbeats making quick turns and dives; rarely glides. Tail is long and deeply forked with a white band across it.
© Ryan Sanderson | Macaulay LibraryIndiana, May 27, 2020Juvenile (American)
Juveniles are dark above and pale cinnamon below with rich rusty throat and forehead. Their tail is also shorter without the deep fork.
© Farshad Pourmalek | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, July 10, 2019Juvenile (White-bellied)
Juveniles in Europe have a white belly and tawny throat. The tail is also shorter without the deep fork.
© Teresa Cohen | Macaulay LibraryLisboa, April 14, 2017Adult (American)
Long and slender with a deeply forked tail. The color of the underparts varies from buffy to rich cinnamon with the females typically having the paler underparts.
© Ryan Sanderson | Macaulay LibraryIndiana, June 03, 2020Adult (American)
Collects mud in bill to build a mud and grass nest—often tucked under the eaves of barns and stables, on structures near playing fields, or under bridges.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 23, 2017Flock (American)
Often seen in flocks in open habitats from fields, parks, and roadway edges to marshes, meadows, ponds, and coastal waters.
© George Gerdts | Macaulay LibraryWashington, August 12, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
Swallows(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Hirundinidae)
Need Bird ID Help? Try Merlin
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.