Common and widespread in open areas but often near humans. Builds a conspicuous nest of mud with an open top underneath the eaves of homes and sheds. Noisy, a talking ‘twitter’ — to many farmers, the sound of summer. A graceful flyer, it swoops down low to the ground over fields and ponds, hawking insects before rising again. ID: A larger swallow with noticeably swept-back, long wings and very long slim body with long pointed tail. Adult: upperparts dark, steely blue white patch to bases of long, forked tail. Underparts variably dark-tinged in spring, becoming much paler through summer. Throat orange with dark lower border. Juv: a very washed-out version of adult with a much shorter tail.