Barn Swallow vs Cockatiel
Hirundo rustica compared with Nymphicus hollandicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Barn Swallow | Cockatiel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hirundo rustica | Nymphicus hollandicus |
| Order | Passeriformes | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae | Cacatuidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 19.0 cm (7.5 in) | 32.0 cm (12.6 in) |
| Wingspan | 33.0 cm (13.0 in) | 40.0 cm (15.7 in) |
| Weight | 19.0 g (0.67 oz) | 90.0 g (3.17 oz) |
| Diet | Aerial insects caught in continuous agile flight, including flies, beetles, moths, and aphids. Drinks by … | Seeds, grain, berries, and plant material. Forages on the ground in open areas. In captivity, … |
| Clutch Size | 2-7 | 1-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Barn Swallow
Open farmland, meadows, and areas near water. Nests almost exclusively in human-made structures such as barns, bridges, and eaves.
Cockatiel
Open arid and semi-arid habitats including scrubland, farmland, and woodland near water in Australia.
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.
Cockatiel
A loud, whistled 'weet' or 'weeeet'. Males whistle a melodic series; contact call is a high nasal 'ny'. Capable of mimicry in captivity. Song is relatively simple but pleasant.
Geographic Range & Migration
Barn Swallow
Breeds across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Winters in South America, Africa, and South Asia.
Cockatiel
Interior of Australia, generally avoiding coastal areas. The second most popular pet bird worldwide.
Conservation Status
Barn Swallow
Cockatiel
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
Cockatiel
Wild-type males are grey with white wing patches, a yellow face, and bright orange cheek patches. Females are duller with barred tail undersides. Many captive color mutations exist.
Short, curved, grey bill
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.
Cockatiel
The cockatiel is the smallest member of the cockatoo family and one of the most popular pet birds globally. These gentle, intelligent parrots can learn to whistle tunes and mimic sounds. Wild cockatiels are nomadic, traveling in flocks following food and water availability across the Australian outback.