Pearl-breasted Swallow

The pearl-breasted swallow, a small and agile bird, graces the skies with its glossy blue upperparts and contrasting grey-white underparts. Measuring between 13 to 14 centimeters in length, this swallow exhibits blackish-blue upper wings, underwing flight feathers, and a forked tail. The underwing coverts are a subtle, darker shade of grey-white. A notable feature is the absence of white in the tail, setting it apart from its Hirundo cousins. Males can be distinguished by their slightly longer outer feathers, while juveniles present a duller, browner appearance with shorter tail feathers.

Identification Tips

To identify the pearl-breasted swallow, look for its lustrous blue back and wings, and the grey-white underbelly. The lack of white in the tail is a key identifier. The male's elongated outer tail feathers and the juvenile's duller plumage are additional markers to consider.

Habitat

This species is a familiar sight in dry scrublands, farmlands, and clearings, often in proximity to human settlements.

Distribution

The pearl-breasted swallow breeds in the southern regions of Africa, from Angola and southern Congo to Tanzania, and extends southwards. While it may be sparsely distributed, certain areas see it thriving in local abundance. It exhibits partial migratory behavior, with many individuals from South Africa's southwest migrating north for the winter.

Behaviour

With a penchant for flying insects, the pearl-breasted swallow hunts with a swift and direct flight. Its vocalizations consist of a chittering "chip cheree chip chip," a sound that is as delightful as it is distinctive.

Breeding

The breeding prowess of this swallow is evident in its construction of a bowl-shaped mud nest, which is often reinforced with grass or hair and lined with softer materials for comfort. Remarkably, it sometimes adopts and refurbishes the nests of the greater striped swallow. These nests, which can be found in natural cavities or man-made structures, may be reused across years, with records of one nest being occupied for three decades. The female incubates the typically two or three pure white eggs for about 16 to 17 days until they hatch. Both parents are then involved in feeding the fledglings, which take another 20 to 23 days to mature enough for their first flight, though they may return to the nest to roost for a short period thereafter.

Similar Species

The pearl-breasted swallow can be confused with other Hirundo species, but its unique tail pattern and underwing coloration serve as distinguishing features.

Diet and Feeding

This swallow's diet consists primarily of flying insects, which it captures with its adept and agile flight.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List categorizes the pearl-breasted swallow as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats at present.