Birdland
Poetry in Motion
Barn swallows are the most familiar swallow, and the only one with a deeply forked tail. With dark blue backs and ruddy chests, their acrobatic maneuvers are a marvel as they gracefully swoop and turn, chasing after flying insects. They often fly in flocks, constantly twittering and chattering. The barn swallow used to nest on cliff faces or in caves, but this is now rare. Now they build their mud nests on or in buildings, under bridges and other structures – including, yes, barns. This barn swallow was photographed near the Pavilion in City Park by Park Hill resident Mark Silverstein.