One of the most distinctive features of the Barn Swallow is its tail, which is long and deeply forked. Most of the upper parts of the bird are a beautiful iridescent blue color. The tail and wings are black, tinted with a green or blue gloss. Generally, the throat, chin, and forehead of the barn swallow are a maroon or chestnut brown. The underside of the Barn Swallow and the breast are usually a lighter tan or cinnamon color, and the tail has white patches underneath. A broken band runs over the breast, and is usually blue in color. Immature Barn Swallows have shorter tails and more whitish undersides than adult birds. At maturity, these birds measure between 15 and 19 centimeters long.
