The Barn Swallow is a familiar and popular bird throughout the

world. It is one of the most widely distributed bird species, breeding

in North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa and wintering in South

America, southern Africa, southern Asia and even northern Australia.

Its habit of nesting close to human habitation has made this elegant

bird a part of farmyard and village life and a welcome herald of

spring.

This book examines all aspects of the life of this endearing bird, with chapters on its flying

skills and feeding habits, mate choice, breeding strategies, nest

sites, eggs and incubation, nestling rearing, productivity and

survival, migratory behaviour and population dynamics. It also considers changes in populations and behaviour in relation to intensive agriculture and climate change.

The Barn Swallow is both engaging and authoritative;

birdwatchers will enjoy amazing insights into the life of the species,

such as the importance of tail feathers when finding a mate, or the

sinister way that some birds kill of the chicks of rivals. Academic

scholars will appreciate the book's broad overview of current research

on this species.