Explore Apr. 27 2009 # 197
X - Bird On The Wire "Barn swallow", hundred miles at sea :-)))
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"European swallow" redirects here. For the well-known plot
element, see Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Barn Swallow
European subspecies,
H. r. rustica in Denmark
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Genus: Hirundo
Species: H. rustica
Binomial name
Hirundo rustica
Linnaeus, 1758
Breeding range; Resident year-round; Non-breeding
range
Synonyms
Hirundo erythrogaster
The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world.[2] A distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings, it is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.[2] In Anglophone Europe it is just called the Swallow; in Northern Europe it is the only common species called a "swallow" rather than a "martin".[3]
There are six subspecies of Barn Swallow, which breed across the Northern Hemisphere. Four are strongly migratory, and their wintering grounds cover much of the Southern Hemisphere as far south as central Argentina, the Cape Province of South Africa, and northern Australia.[2] Its huge range means that the Barn Swallow is not endangered, although there may be local population declines due to specific threats, such as the construction of an international airport near Durban.[4]
The Barn Swallow is a bird of open country which normally uses man-made structures to breed and consequently has spread with human expansion. It builds a cup nest from mud pellets in barns or similar structures and feeds on insects caught in flight.[5] This species lives in close association with humans, and its insect-eating habits mean that it is tolerated by man; this acceptance was reinforced in the past by superstitions regarding the bird and its nest. There are frequent cultural references to the Barn Swallow in literary and religious works due to both its living in close proximity to humans and its conspicuous annual migration.[6] The Barn Swallow is the national bird of Estonia.
aηηa, Steve-h, LotteHjorth, Mia.hiller93, and 79 other people added this photo to their favorites.
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billbalance 38 months ago | reply
ABC-visualized
...we like to see your
interesting photo
in our ABC-group!!! .
tookytooky 37 months ago | reply
Beautiful!
Toddler Carrot 35 months ago | reply
Sweet shot!
Ediacara88 33 months ago | reply
nice shot, i like it!
Bader Al Yaseen 31 months ago | reply
Amazing Colors
alamos26 31 months ago | reply
This is a perfect X!
Please add this picture to the group The perfect X!
Ladymaggic 29 months ago | reply
This is stunning..Your bird photos are wonderful
fashionabl_you 29 months ago | reply
Hey what lens!
vibrantflicker 28 months ago | reply
A perfect shot!
austin_2 28 months ago | reply
Congratulations!
You are invited to display this image and join our group.
"Winged Wonders" Post 1, Award 2, Invite Only
Rohit Raina 27 months ago | reply
wow lovely details...congrates on the wonderful shot.
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/40267028@N03/5479514410/]
Pickle'd Moments... 27 months ago | reply
lovely colours n details maite..
samniggli [deleted] 27 months ago | reply
wierd focus, but very good shot!
nyomee wallen 26 months ago | reply
Awww..I do love to take the birdshot like these. I am very envy with green.
Your photo is “A” Class ( Please, Post 1-Comment 2 )
Please, consider adding this photo to “A” Class group
mf-photo 25 months ago | reply
I saw this in:
Birds Birds Birds
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patgoltz 20 months ago | reply
Gorgeous!
You are definitely a BIRD WATCHER!
Pls tag your photo "Bird Watcher"
Bill E2011 11 months ago | reply
Great shot. Superb colour.
Please add this fantastic shot to:
Official National Geographic Group
Thank you for sharing your photos!
Lidia Souhait 11 months ago | reply
+
Paul (Barniegoog) 7 months ago | reply
Great capture.
soquel girl 4 months ago | reply
Great commentary