Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
The Barn Swallow in the upper left photo was observed resting at the Arrowhead Marsh section of the MLK Regional Shoreline in Oakland, CA on April 25, 2016. But it was the breeding season, and the Barn Swallows behaved accordingly (upper right). The bottom left photo was taken a few months later at the Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline in Richmond, CA (June 22, 2016). This flying Barn Swallow offers a good view of its strongly-forked tail, often a good duiagnostic. The Barn Swallow can be found in much of North America during the breeding season only. In winter, it migrates to Central and South America, with some found year-round in parts of Mexico. (Click on images to see enlarged versions.)