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Swallows have dark glossy blue backs, red throats, pale under parts and long distinctive tail streamers. The shape of the tail is important, as it is an indicator of status for the females to choose a male, they will choose the most symmetrical tail for a mate. They are extremely agile in flight and spend most of their time on the wing. They arrive in Britain in late March, and depart in mid / late October. Swallows are found in areas where there is a ready and accessible supply of small insects. They are particularly fond of open pasture with access to water and quiet farm buildings. See our Swallow nest bowl. Recent declines due to loss of habitat quality in both their breeding and wintering grounds mean they are an Amber List species. The swallows have a cosmopolitan distribution across the world and breed on all the continents except Antarctica. There are numerous species, besides the one that frequents Britain.
Egg Weight1.9 g
Maximum Recorded Age11 years, 1 month
Typical Lifespan3 years
Age at First Breeding1 year
First clutches laidEarly June
Number of broods2
Fledging20-22 days
Incubation1709 days
Clutch Size4-5 eggs
Number in Britain1.4 Million
Egg Size20x14 mm
First Record7th Century
HabitatOpen country, usually near water, farmland
Weight19 g
Wingspan34 cm
Length18 cm
Status in UKMigrant Breeder, Passage Visitor
Conservation Status UKAmber
£10.00
£18.95
£28.95
