Barn Swallow

Audio:

The most common swallow of the countryside is the Barn Swallow. With its long, forked tail it is an elegant appearance on farms. And very useful: it is capable of eating huge numbers of flies and mosquitoes.

Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirundo_rustica

Map:

http://eol.org/data_objects/21266964

Scientific name:

Hirundo rustica

Presence in western Europe:

Common

More information

Size:

Sparrow,

Blackbird

Birdtype:

songbirds

Main colour:

Black,

Blue

Beak colour:

Black

Beak shape:

Thin and short

Crown colour:

Black,

Blue

Breast colour:

White,

Beige

Belly colour:

White,

Beige

Throat colour:

Red,

Reddish brown

Rump colour:

Black

Upperwing colour:

Black

Underwing colour:

Black

Wing shape:

Pointed

Leg colour:

Black

Leg shape:

Songbird

Tail colour:

Black

Tail shape:

Forked long

Looks like

House Martin

Read more about House Martin

The Barn Swallow has a long, deeply-forked tail and lacks the white rump of the House Martin.

Swift

Read more about Swift

The Barn Swallow flies close to the ground, while the Swift is high up in the air. The Barn Swallow is constantly flying, while the Swift will glide after a few strokes.