Our mountain retreat here in Costa Rica offers a symphony of birdsong each morning. But amidst the chorus, there’s a flash of blue that catches the eye – the Barn Swallow. While you might expect this common bird to favor wide-open fields, these incredible aerial acrobats grace our mountain skies as well, particularly during their migratory seasons.

A Global Traveler at Home in Costa Rica

The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a true globetrotter. Holding the title of the most widespread swallow species, it can be found on every continent except Antarctica! Here in Costa Rica, Barn Swallows are most commonly seen along the coasts and in the lowlands, but they can also be spotted soaring through the mountain valleys, especially during their migration periods.

A Distinctive Beauty

These birds are a sight to behold. Their backs are a stunning iridescent blue, catching the sunlight like a living jewel. Their bellies range from a warm buff to a bright white, depending on the subspecies. The most striking feature, however, is their deeply forked tail, which helps them with their incredible maneuverability in flight.

Masters of the Skies

Barn Swallows are aerial virtuosos. They spend most of their days on the wing, hunting for insects. Their forked tails and streamlined bodies allow them to perform acrobatic feats, swooping and diving with incredible agility. Watching them chase flying insects is a mesmerizing display of nature’s aerial ballet.

Finding a Home in the Mountains

While Barn Swallows are not cavity nesters like some of our resident mountain birds, they readily adapt to human-made structures. They often build their cup-shaped mud nests under eaves, overhangs, or even bridges. It’s not uncommon to see them flitting around our mountain retreat buildings, searching for suitable nesting sites.

Seasonal Visitors

The Barn Swallow’s presence in our mountain retreat is seasonal. They primarily breed in North America during the summer months, and then migrate south for the winter. Here in Costa Rica, they are most commonly seen from March to May and from September to November.

A Sign of a Healthy Ecosystem

The presence of Barn Swallows is a positive indicator of a healthy ecosystem. Their reliance on insect prey shows a diverse and thriving insect population. So, the next time you see a flash of blue darting through the mountain air, take a moment to appreciate the Barn Swallow, a remarkable avian traveler that graces our Costa Rican skies.

For more information, please view our comprehensive guide about the birds of Costa Rica