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Who's That Singing? Barn Swallow

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Barn Swallows (photo by Mick Thompson)

Barn Swallow babies have fledged, making the number of chattering swallows under bridges, inside of barns, and under eaves greater than usual. This acrobatic aerial insectivore (as in, they fly fast and well, and they eat insects while in flight) is a common bird species in southern Wisconsin. You can find them near any built structure, and they create nests of mud and grass, with a little spit, under overhangs.

A Barn Swallow brood in a nest (photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren)

Over the last three weeks, I’ve watched and listened to the Barn Swallow nestlings at the horse barn my daughter takes lessons at. When we started lessons, they were big babies, making noise only as their parent arrives with food then begging loudly. The next week they were the same but bigger, then this week they were out of the nest, zooming around and in and out of the barn. True to their names!

Song

Barn Swallows, similar to their relative the Tree Swallow, is a gregarious, energetic creature who makes bubbly, chattering songs and calls. While the Tree Swallow’s song is more watery, the Barn Swallow’s song is more robotic. They sing seemingly constantly, so you can definitely get that repetition practice in when you hear a Barn Swallow!

Call

You’ll hear Barn Swallows calling if you get too close to their nest, which isn’t too hard to do given they nest near places people go. When I paddle down the Yahara River, Barn Swallows chirp non-stop when I go under bridges!

Next time you’re out near the Arboretum Visitor’s Center, walking to the barn on your property, or paddling under a bridge, listen for these chirpy friends. Their beautiful navy blue backs, rusty brown bellies, and forked tails are just part of what makes them memorable — the other part is the wonderfully robotic, zippery sounds their songs and calls make.

Who’s That Singing? is a series designed for Birding by Ear class participants but available to anyone interested in learning more!

Written by Brenna Marsicek, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance director of outreach

other articles in the Who’s That Singing series:

Featured
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Who's That Singing? Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow babies have fledged, making the number of chattering swallows under bridges, inside of barns, and under eaves greater than usual. This acrobatic aerial insectivore (as in, they fly fast and well, and they eat insects while in flight) is a common bird species in southern Wisconsin. You can find them near any built structure, and they create nests of mud and grass under overhangs.

Photo by Mick Thompson

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Who's That Singing? American Goldfinch

This is the time of the summer when American Goldfinches are making all sorts of noise. Goldfinches are a species that stick around Wisconsin year-round, but summer is when they really shine. Their bright yellow with black accented bodies and their “potato chip” flight calls are just fabulous.

Photo by Jo Zimny Photos FCC

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Tree Swallows are a fun, dynamic, and noisy species. As a frequent user of man-made nest boxes, this is a species one is likely to encounter in many types of natural areas, particularly if there is water nearby. Tree Swallows are primarily insectivores, so those watery areas that support lots of flying insects like dragonflies, damselflies, moths, butterflies, etc. are excellent habitat for this bird. This is less likely to be a backyard bird, but one you are likely to encounter on a hike.

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Photo by Jan Rose FCC

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I absolutely love it when a teeny-tiny bird can blast out a song completely out of proportion with their size. The Northern House Wren is the best example of that I can think of. The Northern House Wren is an excited little bird, seemingly constantly on the move and singing frequently their big, cheerful song. They are happy in back yards and will nest readily in nest boxes, so are a common one for backyard birders to hear and see.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

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From the moment the arrive in spring, you know they’re here. Red-winged Blackbirds are a wetland bird that is loud and proud and about as bold as you can imagine.

Photo by Mick Thompson

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One of the most fabulous summer birds is certainly the Gray Catbird, who is doing a LOT of singing right now in southern Wisconsin. It makes a variety of sounds that are both silly and interesting, given that this bird is a relative of mockingbirds and thrashers — birds that are skilled mimics. Its song is a delightful gibberish of babbling noises, and its call is what gives it the name Catbird.

Photo by Dennis Church FCC

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The Northern Cardinal has some really amazing and note-worthy sounds! Males sing year round, females do some singing as well, and all cardinals make noises galore.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

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Who's That Singing? Baltimore Oriole

The Baltimore Oriole is one of the most beloved bird species by backyard birders, and for good reason! It’s colorful, it enjoys the fruits and jellies put out in feeders, it creates incredible nests, and importantly, it sings a delightful, jolly tune.

Photo by Phil Brown

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Who’s That Singing? American Robin

Nothing says “Spring is here!!” like the song of the American Robin. This common bird is many of our favorites for good reason. Its sounds are cheerful, familiar, and in Wisconsin synonymous with the arrival of warmer weather and springtime flowers. The American Robin makes a lot of different noises, and makes them often. It is a bird you are likely to hear on a daily basis, and once you commit their sounds to memory, you’ll be hearing them all over!

Photo by Arlene Koziol