22 July 2025, flying home from Finland

Today as we’re flying home from Finland I’m musing on the fact that I have seen barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) on nearly every trip abroad. This is not surprising since they are the most abundant and widespread swallow on earth. They occur on all continents because they are vagrants to Antarctica.

Of course I saw them in Finland.

“Swallow Tails” are one of the barn swallows’ most important features. Here are some Cool Facts about them.

• “According to legend, the Barn Swallow got its forked tail because it stole fire from the gods to bring to people. An angry deity hurled a firebrand at the swallow, singeing away its middle tail feathers.” — All About Birds: Barn Swallow

• “Barn swallows are capable of sharper turns and dives than other swallows. This increased maneuverability in flight is a consequence of the highly forked tail.” — Birds of the World: Barn Swallow

• The length of the tail streamers is very important. Studies in Ontario have shown that the longer the male’s tail, the better success he has in attracting a mate and nesting early. In Europe “tail length and degree of asymmetry in the outer tail feathers have been found to be predictors of individual quality in both males and females and those traits are used when selecting mates.” Everything — from breeding to annual survival — works best for the longest tailed barn swallows in Europe. — Birds of the World: Barn Swallow

When I get home I’ll see barn swallows in Pittsburgh. I’ll be sure to check out their tails.