The swallow

BY NUMBERS

34cm

THE LENGTH OF THE AVERAGE BARN SWALLOW’S WINGSPAN. THEY WEIGH BETWEEN 16G-24G – ABOUT HALF THE WEIGHT OF A PACKET OF CRISPS.

6,000

THE NUMBER OF MILES THE BIRDS COVER BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND THE UK, CLOCKING UP ABOUT 200 MILES A DAY.

44%

THE PROPORTION OF PAIRS THAT GO BACK TO THE SAME NEST EVERY YEAR, ACCORDING TO A RECENT STUDY.

10-15

THE NUMBER OF YEARS A WELL-BUILT NEST CAN LAST. IT TAKES THE ‘BUILDERS’ ABOUT 1,300 TRIPS TO GATHER THE MATERIAL.

500

THE NUMBER OF INSECTS A BROOD OF BABY SWALLOWS NEEDS TO EAT EVERY HOUR. THEY CONSUME 150,000 BEFORE FLEDGING UP TO 23 DAYS AFTER HATCHING.

2

THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF YEARS A HEALTHY BIRD CAN EXPECT TO LIVE.