Barn Swallow
Kootenay National Park
Quick facts
Wingspan can reach up to 34 cm long
Likes building cup-shaped nests
Eats insects by hunting close to the ground
Lives on every continent except Antarctica
SARA status: Threatened (2017)
Barn swallows are medium-sized songbirds. They have a forked tail, dark-blue back and wings, chestnut throat and forehead, and beige underparts. Barn swallows search for food in open areas like grasslands, shorelines, clearings in woods, and wetlands. They love to hunt flying insects!
Where they live
Barn swallows prefer to nest in and around human-made structures like barns, stables, houses, sheds, and bridges. Their cup-shaped nests can be found attached to vertical surfaces with a supporting ledge, protected by an overhang. Barn swallows nest in colonies that range from a few families to many. They often reuse old nests to save energy and increase breeding. Barn swallows are present in Kootenay National Park from late spring until fall. They migrate south and overwinter in the southern United States, parts of Mexico, and Central and South America.
Why they are at risk
Barn swallow populations across Canada have declined by nearly 80% since the 1980s. More research is needed to better understand the threats affecting barn swallows.
Flying insect declines
Globally, flying insect populations are declining. This means less food for barn swallows. Although the declines are not well understood, some probable causes are:
- pesticides used to control weeds, insects and fungus
- changes in agricultural practices and destruction of wetlands
- extreme weather events (e.g. cold snaps in spring)
- pollution
Human development and activity
Changing agricultural practices affect barn swallow habitat. Farmland is less diverse where the birds spend their summers and winters. This means fewer nest sites, and poorer quality areas to hunt for insects.
Barn swallows can benefit from human-made structures like houses and bridges. However, modern construction rarely uses the right type of material, or has the right beams and ledges, to support nests. Many wooden barns that are good for nesting have decayed, and nesting sites under bridges and culverts pose risks due to vehicle collisions. People also remove nests.
Climate change
Climate change may impact barn swallows in many ways. Global warming and extreme weather can affect the availability of insect prey, alter the timing of migration and breeding, and cause death.
How Parks Canada is helping
Monitoring
Parks Canada documents nesting activity and success. Staff are actively looking for more nesting sites in Kootenay National Park. Potential sites are identified using public sightings on ebird.org, and reports from local bird experts.
Protecting nesting sites
In the national parks, barn swallows and their nests are protected by law under the National Parks Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, and Canada’s Species at Risk Act. It is illegal to harm or disturb barn swallows and their occupied or unoccupied nests. Violators will be charged, be required to appear in court, and could pay fines up to $25 000.
Using recreational drones in Kootenay National Park is prohibited. Anyone caught operating a drone within park boundaries may result in law enforcement action and a fine of up to $25,000.How you can help
Parks Canada checks ebird.org for reports of black swifts in the national parks. Share your sightings and become a citizen scientist!
Download signs for barn swallow nests on your property. Either print and laminate or ask a local sign shop to create something durable. Thanks Gulf Islands National Park Reserve for sharing this resource!
If you visit Kootenay National Park, keep an eye out for barn swallows and remember the following:
- It is illegal to disturb barn swallows and their occupied or unoccupied nests.
- To report barn swallow nesting activity, or if a barn swallow nest poses a health or safety risk to people, call 403-762-1470 and a Parks Canada Resource Conservation Officer will respond.
- If you witness anyone disturbing a barn swallow or its nest, please observe, record and report this information to Banff Emergency Dispatch at 403-762-1470.
Learn more
Species at Risk Public Registry – COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report – Barn Swallow
Check out other species at risk in the parks on Connected: a Parks Canada podcast
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