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Red-rumped Swallow - BirdForum Opus

Revision as of 19:16, 25 January 2019 by Jmorlan (talk | contribs) (→‎References)
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Photo © by alibenn
Photo taken: Beidaihe, China
Cecropis daurica

Includes: West African Swallow
 Hirundo daurica

Identification

16–17 cm (6¼-6¾ in)
Warm buff underparts that vary geographically from plain to quite strongly streaked (especially in northern China). Dark, glossy-blue upperparts, noticeably interrupted by chestnut nape and pale rufous rump. Black vent and undertail coverts is a prominent feature in Europe but is much reduced in birds from e.g., India.

Similar Species

Photo © by john-henry
Extremadura, Spain

Lacks the dark red face and breast band with sharp contrast to pale belly of Barn Swallow but instead has more black on the rear (vent is pale in Barn Swallow). Looks more thickset in flight which also gives impression of being slower. In area of overlap, Striated Swallow must also be considered.

Distribution

Portugal and Spain to Japan, Nepal, India and tropical Africa. At least northernmost populations are migratory, in winter ranges to Southern Africa and northern Australia.

Often occurs as vagrant north of breeding ranges, for example in Britain and Denmark.

Taxonomy

Notice the black on both undertail and uppertail coverts making the tail look like it has been glued on.
Photo © by waterrailus
Lesvos, May 2017

Previously included in genus Hirundo
Sri Lanka Swallow was formerly included in this species.

Subspecies

Photo © by surunair
Bird from India: notice the smaller area of black on undertail coverts compared to European birds
Kerala, India, December 2012
Nest. If you see such a structure, please do not linger
Photo © by njlarsen
Near Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal, June 2013

Nine[1] or ten subspecies are recognised.

C. d. domicella from West Africa is sometimes split as West African Swallow,

Habitat

Plains, grassland, rocky outcrops.

Behaviour

Actions

They forage alone, in pairs or in small groups. Flight consists of steady gliding and rapid wingbeats. They catch flying insects by aerial pursuit, sometimes up to 100 meters or more. They also pick up insects while perched in vegetation or even on the ground.

Breeding

Monogamous. Breeds in pairs or in loose groups of less than 50 pairs sometimes clustered into colonies or dispersed. Male performs aerial display circling while calling around the female. Both adults build the nest. The flask-shaped mud nest has a tunnel entrance. Nest is lined with soft grass and feathers. It is placed on rocky ledges, buildings, under bridges and caves. Clutch size is 2-7 eggs with African birds average smaller clutches.

Diet

Primarily insects such as flies, beetles, bugs, termites, grasshoppers and wasps. Prey items vary locally depending on the season.

Movements

Migratory in northern parts of its range, but mostly resident in the south. They form flocks of varying size after breeding with other swallow species and swifts.

Vocalisation

Contact call is a House-sparrow-like chirp tchreet and a nasal tzueeee. Alarm call is a sharp kiir. Song is a twittering warble resembles that of Barn Swallow but with lower-pitched twittering, harsher, slower, shorter and more nasal. <flashmp3>Hirundo daurica (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen to a Red-rumped Swallow sound clip

Gallery

Click images to see larger version

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. BF Member observations
  3. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
  4. Birdforum Id-forum thread discussing red-rumped swallow
  5. Birdforum Id-forum thread discussing red-rumped swallow
  6. Turner, A. & Kirwan, G.M. (2019). Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/57753 on 25 January 2019).

Recommended Citation

External Links


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