About the White-throated Swallow
The white-throated swallow is a small bird in the swallow family. It is a common species, found in southern Africa, which has benefited from the increased nesting opportunities presented by the construction of bridges and dams.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The white-throated swallow is 14–17 cm long. It has glossy dark blue upperparts and a bright chestnut crown. A dark blue-black breast band separates the white throat from the greyish white underparts and underwing coverts. The upper wings, underwing flight feathers and forked tail are blackish-blue, but the undertail has white patches near the feather tips. The white throat and blackish breast band are distinctions from similar Hirundo species. The outer feathers are slightly longer in the male than the female.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Congo - Kinshasa.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Wire-tailed SwallowHirundo smithiiThe wire-tailed swallow is a small swallow, measuring 18 cm (7.1 in) in length.
Pearl-breasted SwallowHirundo dimidiataThe pearl-breasted swallow is 13–14 cm long.
Tahiti SwallowHirundo tahiticaThis species is a small swallow at 13 cm (5.1 in) in length.
Side by side: Welcome Swallow vs White-throated Swallow · Pacific Swallow vs White-throated Swallow · White-throated Swallow vs Wire-tailed Swallow
Learn the White-throated Swallow for real
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