Barn Swallow vs African Red-rumped Swallow
Hirundo rustica compared with Cecropis melanocrissus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Barn Swallow | African Red-rumped Swallow |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hirundo rustica | Cecropis melanocrissus |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae | Hirundinidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
| Length | 19.0 cm (7.5 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 33.0 cm (13.0 in) | — |
| Weight | 19.0 g (0.67 oz) | 26.25 g (0.93 oz) |
| Diet | Aerial insects caught in continuous agile flight, including flies, beetles, moths, and aphids. Drinks by … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-7 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Barn Swallow only
African Red-rumped Swallow only
Barn Swallow
Open farmland, meadows, and areas near water. Nests almost exclusively in human-made structures such as barns, bridges, and eaves.
Song & Call Comparison
Barn Swallow
A rapid, twittering song: a long stream of 'vit-vit-vit' and rolling chirps. Also gives a sharp 'vit' flight call. Song can last many minutes without pause. Musical and liquid.
African Red-rumped Swallow
Geographic Range & Migration
Barn Swallow
Breeds across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Winters in South America, Africa, and South Asia.
African Red-rumped Swallow
Conservation Status
Barn Swallow
African Red-rumped Swallow
How to Tell Them Apart
Barn Swallow
Metallic blue-black upperparts, rufous forehead and throat, and pale buff to rufous underparts. Deeply forked tail with elongated outer streamers.
Short, wide, flat black bill adapted for catching insects in flight
African Red-rumped Swallow
About These Birds
Barn Swallow
The barn swallow is the most widespread swallow species in the world and has one of the longest migrations of any passerine. Its arrival signals spring across the Northern Hemisphere, inspiring cultural references from ancient Greece to modern poetry. Barn swallows have become almost entirely dependent on human structures for nesting.
African Red-rumped Swallow
The African Red-rumped Swallow is a swallow of the Hirundinidae family, weighing around 26 g. It is identified by its distinctive rufous rump and undertail, and inhabits open country and rocky areas across Africa where it catches insects on the wing.