Barn Swallow
Where to Look
- Agricultural areas, settlements, woodlands and cliffs throughout the archipelago.
Similar Galapagos Species
Galapagos Martin
Identification
The only swallow in the Galapagos with light underparts. For adults, the deeply forked tails and tail streamers are diagnostic within the archipelago.
Description
A well known species with dark glossy blue upperparts, light buffish underparts, a black breast band, rufous throat and forecrown and a deeply forked tail with outer tail streamers. Non-breeding birds found in the Galapagos often have scruffy upperparts with exposed white feathers. Sexes similar, but males have slighly longer tail streamers. Juveniles lack tail streamers, have browner upperparts and buffy throats and forecrowns.
Galapagos Distribution
Recorded throughout the main archipelago.
Global Distribution
Widespread cross all continents except Antarctica and Australia, breeding in the northern hemisphere and overwintering in the southern hemisphere.
Status in the Galapagos
Uncommon non-breeding visitor, present in largest numbers between September and April.
Conservation
Vulnerable. With a total population of roughly 10, 000 mature individuals, this species is ranked as ‘vulnerable’. It has been extripated from Rabida and Santiago and populations across Santa Cruz and southern Isabela have been greatly reduced. It is threatened by invasive predators such as cats, dogs, pigs and rats that prey on its eggs young.