research

The common barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a fascinating fowl with unique nest-building habits. In North America, nesting season for barn swallows begins in late April and early May, laying their eggs sometime in May.

When building their nests, male and female barn swallows work together, gathering mud from nearby water sources to form small mud “bricks.” These “bricks” form the base of their nest and are attached to human-made structures, preferably directly under some type of cover that provides shelter from the weather. Here, they stack their mud “bricks” to form a cup-like nest. Once the outer structure has been formed, the barn swallows line the inside of the nest with grass and feathers. This unique strategy produces some sturdy nests that can last for years (Birdfact).

Because barn swallows choose to nest on human-made structures, their nests are often at risk of being destroyed as humans find their nests messy or ruinous to their property. In reality, the nests can be ruinous if formed on fixtures such as electrical outlets, but these hard-working birds certainly should not lose their nests simple because they look messy.