Barn Swallow vs Common Starling
Hirundo rustica comparado com Sturnus vulgaris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Atributo | Barn Swallow | Common Starling |
|---|---|---|
| Nome científico | Hirundo rustica | Sturnus vulgaris |
| Ordem | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Família | Hirundinidae | Sturnidae |
| Estado de conservação | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Comprimento | 19,0 cm (7.5 in) | 21,5 cm (8.5 in) |
| Envergadura | 33,0 cm (13.0 in) | 37,0 cm (14.6 in) |
| Peso | 19,0 g (0.67 oz) | 78,0 g (2.75 oz) |
| Dieta | Aerial insects caught in continuous agile flight, including flies, beetles, moths, and aphids. Drinks by … | Omnivorous — insects and larvae (especially leatherjackets), earthworms, fruit, and seeds. Probes soil with open … |
| Tamanho da postura | 2-7 | 4-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Habitats partilhados
Barn Swallow only
Nenhum
Common Starling only
Nenhum
Barn Swallow
Open farmland, meadows, and areas near water. Nests almost exclusively in human-made structures such as barns, bridges, and eaves.
Common Starling
Open countryside, farmland, parks, and urban areas. Forms enormous communal roosts in winter, especially in urban environments.
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 Starling
A complex mimic: rattles, whistles, clicks, and squeaks mixed with imitations of other birds. Song is a continuous medley. Also gives harsh 'scheer' alarm and chattering.
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 Starling
Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Estado de conservação
Barn Swallow
Common Starling
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 Starling
Glossy black plumage with iridescent purple and green sheen in breeding season. Winter plumage shows white spotting. Short tail and pointed wings in flight.
Long, pointed bill — yellow in breeding season, dark in winter
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 Starling
Estorninho-malhado (Sturnus vulgaris) — 19-22 cm. Distribuído pela Europa e Ásia, introduzido na América do Norte, Austrália e África do Sul. Plumagem negra com reflexo metálico verde e roxo, com pontas brancas no inverno. Voo em bandos enormes (murmuração) é espetáculo notável. Excelente imitador. Omnívoro adaptável a ambientes urbanos e agrícolas.