# 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.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hirundo-rustica/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/hirundo-rustica/
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**Review status:** This 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.

## Quick answer

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.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Hirundo rustica* |
| Indonesian name | Layang-layang api |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Observation records | Nusa Tenggara, Java, Sulawesi |
| Taxonomic group | Passeriformes |
| GBIF records | 4,326 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/9515886) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore) · [BirdLife DataZone](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/barn-swallow-hirundo-rustica) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt) |

## 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](https://www.gbif.org/species/9515886)

## 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](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirundo%20rustica)

## 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](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=9515886&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## 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](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=9515886&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## 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

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Genus | *Hirundo* |
| Species | *Hirundo rustica* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## 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](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/barn-swallow-hirundo-rustica).

### How does the Barn Swallow reproduce?

The Barn Swallow reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352).

### 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](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### 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](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), 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)](https://www.gbif.org/species/9515886), 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](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/protected/) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/9515886)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=9515886&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)
3. [iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/11901)
4. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirundo%20rustica)
5. [BirdLife DataZone](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/barn-swallow-hirundo-rustica)
6. [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352)
7. [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt)
8. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Brown Honeyeater](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/lichmera-indistincta/)
- [Hair-crested Drongo](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/dicrurus-hottentottus/)
- [Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hemipus-hirundinaceus/)
- [Ashy Drongo](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/dicrurus-leucophaeus/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Barn Swallow. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hirundo-rustica/