Barn Swallow vs Common Kestrel
Hirundo rustica comparé à Falco tinnunculus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Barn Swallow | Common Kestrel |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Hirundo rustica | Falco tinnunculus |
| Ordre | Passeriformes | Falconiformes |
| Famille | Hirundinidae | Falconidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | 19,0 cm (7.5 in) | 34,0 cm (13.4 in) |
| Envergure | 33,0 cm (13.0 in) | 74,0 cm (29.1 in) |
| Poids | 19,0 g (0.67 oz) | 190,0 g (6.70 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Aerial insects caught in continuous agile flight, including flies, beetles, moths, and aphids. Drinks by … | Primarily voles and mice, also lizards, large insects, and small birds. Hunts by hovering at … |
| Taille de la couvée | 2-7 | 1-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Habitats partagés
Barn Swallow only
Aucun(e)
Common Kestrel only
Aucun(e)
Barn Swallow
Open farmland, meadows, and areas near water. Nests almost exclusively in human-made structures such as barns, bridges, and eaves.
Common Kestrel
Open country including farmland, grasslands, moorland, and urban areas. Common along motorways and in cities across Europe.
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.
Common Kestrel
A shrill, repeated 'kee-kee-kee-kee' or 'kik-ik-ik', especially near nest. Alarm call is a nasal chattering. Generally less vocal than larger falcons. Calls ring clearly in open country.
Geographic Range & Migration
Barn Swallow
Breeds across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Winters in South America, Africa, and South Asia.
Common Kestrel
Europe, Asia, and Africa. One of the most common and widespread raptors in the Old World.
Statut de conservation
Barn Swallow
Common Kestrel
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
Common Kestrel
Males have a blue-grey head and tail with a rufous back spotted with black. Females are rufous-brown with heavy barring. Both have a dark moustachial stripe.
Short, hooked grey bill with a yellow cere
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.
Common Kestrel
The common kestrel is Europe's most abundant falcon, famous for its ability to hover motionless in the wind while scanning for prey. Research has shown kestrels can see ultraviolet light, allowing them to detect vole urine trails that reflect UV. The species has adapted remarkably well to urban environments.