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Birds · Sumatera · Java

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica). The barn swallow has blue upperparts, pointed wings and a deeply forked tail; Indonesian records may include seasonal visitors.

Updated Facts checked Hirundo rusticaEditorial standards

Compiled from the listed sources with AI assistance. How we prepare and review content

Photograph of Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica).
(c) Donald Davesne, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 · Image cropped for layout.

Quick answer

IUCN status: Least Concern

Barn Swallow at a glance

The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a bird in the family Hirundinidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Nusa Tenggara, Java, Sulawesi. Diet: eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore); a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

Quick facts: Barn Swallow
Scientific nameHirundo rustica
Indonesian nameLayang-layang api
GroupBirds
FamilyHirundinidae
Observation recordsNusa Tenggara, Java, Sulawesi
Taxonomic groupPasseriformes
GBIF records4,326 human-observation records, 2016–2026
Data retrieved2026-09-23
IUCN statusLeast Concern · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026
Diet typeCarnivore (meat-eater) — eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore) · BirdLife DataZone
ReproductionLaying eggs (oviparous) · Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)
ActiveDiurnal (active by day) · EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt
In this guide (12)
About this guideThis guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

What is the Barn Swallow?

Barn Swallow refers to Hirundo rustica, in the genus Hirundo, family Hirundinidae, and order Passeriformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗

What is known about the Barn Swallow?

The barn swallow has blue upperparts, pointed wings and a deeply forked tail; Indonesian records may include seasonal visitors.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗

How many Indonesian records name the Barn Swallow?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 4,326 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Nusa Tenggara, Java, Sulawesi. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

How can you observe the Barn Swallow?

Record the date, broad location, voice and visible plumage without approaching nests or young. A clear, distant photograph is more useful than disturbing a bird for a closer view. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Barn Swallow with Brown Honeyeater, Hair-crested Drongo, Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

Scientific classification of the Barn Swallow

Scientific classification from kingdom to species
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyHirundinidae
GenusHirundo
SpeciesHirundo rustica

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).

Common questions about the Barn Swallow

What is the scientific name of the Barn Swallow?

The scientific name of the Barn Swallow is Hirundo rustica, in the family Hirundinidae and the order Passeriformes. In Indonesian it is called Layang-layang api.

What kind of animal is the Barn Swallow?

The Barn Swallow is a bird in the family Hirundinidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore).

Where does the Barn Swallow live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Barn Swallow summarised in this guide mainly come from Nusa Tenggara, Java, Sulawesi. That list is not a complete range map.

What does the Barn Swallow eat?

The Barn Swallow is a eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore). That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: BirdLife DataZone.

How does the Barn Swallow reproduce?

The Barn Swallow reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).

Is the Barn Swallow nocturnal?

The cited source records the Barn Swallow as diurnal (active by day). Source: EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt.

See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.

What is the scientific classification of the Barn Swallow?

Scientific classification of the Barn Swallow: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, family Hirundinidae, genus Hirundo, species Hirundo rustica.

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

Is the Barn Swallow endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Barn Swallow is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Barn Swallow is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).

Sources & references

  1. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
  2. GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
  3. iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
  4. Species account — background reading ↗
  5. BirdLife DataZone ↗
  6. Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) ↗
  7. EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt ↗
  8. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
  9. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →

Cite this page

Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.

PanduanHewan. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hirundo-rustica/

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