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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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