Barn Swallow vs European Roller
Hirundo rustica comparé à Coracias garrulus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Barn Swallow | European Roller |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Hirundo rustica | Coracias garrulus |
| Ordre | Passeriformes | Coraciiformes |
| Famille | Hirundinidae | Coraciidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | 19,0 cm (7.5 in) | 31,0 cm (12.2 in) |
| Envergure | 33,0 cm (13.0 in) | 66,0 cm (26.0 in) |
| Poids | 19,0 g (0.67 oz) | 130,0 g (4.59 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Aerial insects caught in continuous agile flight, including flies, beetles, moths, and aphids. Drinks by … | Large insects, especially beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets. Also takes small reptiles, frogs, and scorpions. Hunts … |
| Taille de la couvée | 2-7 | 3-6 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Habitats partagés
Aucun(e)
Barn Swallow only
European Roller only
Barn Swallow
Open farmland, meadows, and areas near water. Nests almost exclusively in human-made structures such as barns, bridges, and eaves.
European Roller
Warm, dry, open country with scattered trees and nest holes. Breeds in tree cavities, earth banks, and nest boxes.
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.
European Roller
A harsh, grating 'rack-rack' or 'quarrk' in flight. Gives a variety of sharp nasal calls at the nest. Not melodic; primary vocalizations are alarm and contact calls.
Geographic Range & Migration
Barn Swallow
Breeds across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Winters in South America, Africa, and South Asia.
European Roller
Southern and eastern Europe, Central Asia, and North Africa. Winters in sub-Saharan Africa.
Statut de conservation
Barn Swallow
European Roller
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
European Roller
Turquoise-blue head, breast, and tail. Chestnut-brown back. Vivid ultramarine blue and black wing patches visible in flight.
Short, stout, dark hooked 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.
European Roller
The European roller gets its name from the spectacular rolling and tumbling aerial displays performed by males during courtship. It is the only roller species in Europe and one of the continent's most colorful birds. Declining across much of its western range due to agricultural intensification and habitat loss.