Barn Swallow
vs
Cliff Swallow

Cliff and Barn Swallows can look almost identical at first glance—both flash iridescent blue, warm orange or rufous, and splashes of white as they zip through the sky. But are they really that similar?

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Let’s break down the differences so you’ll be able to identify these aerial acrobats with confidence.

Even though they share many of the same colors, it’s all about the placement of those colors.

Start with the forehead. A Cliff Swallow has a white forehead, while a Barn Swallow has an orange (rufous) forehead.

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Next, check the rump. A Cliff Swallow has a noticeable orange or rufous rump, while a Barn Swallow’s rump is dark.

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Finally, look at the tail. Barn Swallows have long, deeply forked tails. Cliff Swallows have shorter, squarer tails.

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One last tip: swallows are often darting around so fast that it’s tough to get a good look. Try to focus on the forehead or rump, as challenging as it may be. It may only be a split-second sighting, but if you catch that white forehead or rufous rump, you’ll have your ID!