Eastern Red-rumped Swallow

Overview

The eastern red-rumped swallow is a small passerine bird belonging to the swallow family Hirundinidae. It is found across eastern and southeastern Asia, extending to north-eastern India and Taiwan. The species is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Measures 19 cm in length with a deeply forked tail and brown wings.
• Features blue upperparts, a reddish collar, and a streaked chestnut rump.
• Has a white face and underparts with heavy dark streaking.
• Produces a soft twittering song, a 'pin' contact call, and a 'chi-chi-chi' alarm.

Habitat

Occupies open, often hilly areas with clearings and cultivation across eastern and southeastern Asia. The range extends to north-eastern India and Taiwan.

Diet

Feeds on flying insects low over the ground or at cliff faces. It exhibits a slow, buoyant flight compared to the barn swallow and will feed alongside other swallow species.

Did you know?

The genus name Cecropis is derived from the Ancient Greek term for an Athenian woman, while the specific epithet daurica refers to Dauria, a mountainous region east of Lake Baikal.