SWALLOW

A small bird agile in flight spending most of its time on the wing easily recognised by its dark blue back, red throat, pale under parts and long tail streamers. It is a widespread summer visitor to Arran, where it also breeds, before migrating south for the winter. They have excellent manoeuvrability and feed on the wing on airborne insects, using a wide gape of their short powerful bill. They build a nest of mud and plant material against a beam or shelf in buildings or on the ledge of a cliff.

4.5cm x 12cm