Within this species are six subspecies that vary geographically. In North America, the American subspecies is the only one that breeds, therefore, it is the one I will focus on in this blog (All About Birds<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Barn swallows have dark blue backs, wings, and tails, and a rusty orange chest, throat, and forehead. Their belly will range from cinnamon, orange, tawny, to an almost white colour. Females are almost identical to males; however, they display paler\/white underparts and the tail isn’t quite as long. Juveniles exhibit deep blue backs and rusty\/orange faces and necks, like the adults; however, they have lighter underparts similar to the female and their tails are also shorter (All About Birds<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the Barn Swallow resembles the other swallows, it is its forked tail that will set it apart and make this species so unique. This bird has a maximum reported life expectancy of 8 years with 4 years being the average (COSEWIC<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The song lilts (rises and falls) with a squeaky husky quality similar to call notes, which are often interrupted by dry, creaking rattles. (Sibley<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2020\/11\/127223890_214200373398113_5119859783817628995_n-1024x576.jpg\")
Vocalization<\/h2>\n\n\n\n