About the Blue Swallow
The blue swallow is a small bird within the swallow family which is in the order Passeriformes. Swallows are somewhat similar in habits and appearance to other aerial insectivores, such as the martins and the swifts. It breeds in the Afromontane, wintering north of Lake Victoria.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
This species is a small swallow at 18–25 centimetres (7.1–9.8 in). Adult birds have a highly lustrous dark metallic steel-blue appearance and long tail streamers, which are particularly noticeable in males. White feathers are visible on the rump and flanks when the birds are preening and especially during courtship. In poor light, blue swallows appear almost black and therefore can be mistaken for black saw-wing swallows (Psalidoprocne spp.) which occur throughout its breeding range. Young blue swallows start life a brownish-grey, acquiring their blue colour as they mature.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Blue Swallow lives
When to see the Blue Swallow
Peak activity in November · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Pied-winged SwallowHirundo leucosomaThe pied-winged swallow is about 12 cm (4.7 in) long with glossy steel-blue wings and head.
White-tailed SwallowHirundo megaensisThe white-tailed swallow is a small bird that measures about 13 cm (5.1 in) in length.
White-bibbed SwallowHirundo nigritaThe white-bibbed swallow, also known as the white-throated blue swallow, is a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae.
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