Birds of North Carolina
their Distribution and Abundance
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
HIRUNDINIDAE Members: Barn Swallow 389
General Comments
The Barn Swallow, like most swallows, breeds from coast to coast, well into Canada; like most of them, they completely leave the states for places as far south as Argentina. It nests in all 100 counties in North Carolina, but it essentially did not breed in the state until the 1950's. In fact, the finding of nests at Blowing Rock (Watauga) and Roaring Gap (Alleghany) in 1952 were worthy of "Briefs for the Files" in The Chat! It has increased as a breeder since then, though now that all of the southeastern counties are "occupied", it is no longer easy to note population increases. At any rate, it is, by far, our most widespread and common breeding swallow. They nest on horizontal surfaces, usually man-made, such as beneath bridges (both over water and over highways) and inside vacant buildings. Most territories tend to have some open water; however, many nest under highway overpasses, seemingly well away from water.
Breeding Status
Breeder
NC BRC List
Definitive
State Status
none
U.S. Status
Definitive
State Rank
S5B
Global Rank
G5
Coastal Plain
Summer resident, with migratory movements. Common breeder over the entire province (except near extensive forests), even on the Outer Banks. Mainly mid- or late Mar to late Oct, very rarely to early Jan (a handful of CBC records) along and near the coast. A few apparently overwintered at a quarry at New Bern in 1986-87. Three at Sunset Beach (Brunswick) on 13 Jan 2022 were also notable for midwinter, and at that same site as many as three were seen off and on from 8 Dec 2024 - 11 Feb 2025. There were three mid-Jan 2026 records near the northern coast. Can be very common to briefly abundant in migration. Peak counts: 750, Four Oaks (Johnston), 29 Aug 1981.
Piedmont
Summer resident. Common breeder throughout the region, and at times very common (at least near reservoirs) in migration. Mainly late Mar to late Sep or early Oct. A few early winter records, of stragglers. Peak counts:
Mountain
Summer resident. Common breeder at low and middle elevations, to about 4,000 feet; uncommon to perhaps 5,000 feet. Mainly late Mar to early Oct. Peak counts: 500+, Hooper Lane (Henderson), 13 and 17 Jul 2014.
Finding Tips
None needed.