The Swallow is a bird so familiar that we stop looking at it, and if we do that we cease to see its beauty.

It is a brilliantly-coloured bird – a deep red chin, dark blue/black glossy backs – and long streamers leading from its tail. If it stays still long enough, you can admire the iridescence of its feathers. But this is a Swallow we are talking about and, in our valley, they are the most joyful birds in summer, swooping over the swimming pool to catch a drink. They absolutely love flying, they fly around the terrace, performing aerial manoeuvres fit for an air display, and all the time they are chirruping and twittering away. One of my favourite birds, and here in Andalucia they are resident all year.

Listen to the song of the Swallow and read more about it at the RSPB website.

5 to remember
una golondrina – a Swallow
tan familiar – so familiar
la barbilla – the chin
jubiloso/a – joyful
una maniobra aérea – an aerial manoeuvre

Listen to the song of these other birds we see in our Spanish valley:-
Sparrowhawk
Cuckoo
Great Spotted Woodpecker

 

‘Collins Bird Guide: The Most Complete Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe’ [UK: Collins]

And if you’d like to tweet a link to THIS post, here’s my suggested tweet:
Is the Swallow the most joyful bird ever? #Birds in #Spain http://wp.me/p3dYp6-1It via @Spanish_Valley

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