Red-breasted Swallow

The Red-breasted Swallow, known scientifically as Cecropis semirufa and colloquially as the Rufous-chested Swallow, is a delightful avian resident of Sub-Saharan Africa. This species is adorned with a blue crown and mantle that strikingly contrasts with its rufous rump and underparts. The dark crown of this bird notably extends below the eye, and it lacks any white on the underwing, setting it apart from its relatives.

Identification Tips

When observing the Red-breasted Swallow, look for its slightly smaller stature compared to the Mosque Swallow, and its longer tail streamers. The juvenile can be distinguished from the Red-rumped Swallow by the presence of blue on the side of the head, rather than a dull red.

Habitat

This species favors dry open country, often ceding more wooded areas to the Mosque Swallow. It is known for constructing closed mud nests with tubular entrances in cavities or under bridges and similar structures.

Distribution

The Red-breasted Swallow graces most of Africa south of the Sahara, with a range extending from the Eastern Cape northward to northern Namibia and southern Angola in the west, and to Mozambique in the east. It also has a disjunct range from Senegal south to northern Angola and east to Uganda, southwestern Kenya, and northwestern Tanzania.

Behaviour

Typically solitary, the Red-breasted Swallow is not known to breed in groups. It feeds on insects almost exclusively in flight, rarely landing on the ground, and prefers perching on wires and twigs. Its flight is characterized as slow and buoyant.

Song & Calls

The Red-breasted Swallow communicates with a series of chirps and trills that can be heard across the open landscapes it inhabits.

Breeding

Breeding season sees the Red-breasted Swallow nesting between July and March in southern Africa. A typical clutch consists of three eggs. Notably, their nests are sometimes usurped by the White-rumped Swift.

Similar Species

The Mosque Swallow is similar in appearance but can be differentiated by its size and the presence of white on the underwing.

Diet and Feeding

Insects form the staple of the Red-breasted Swallow's diet, with aerial foraging being its preferred method of hunting.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Red-breasted Swallow as Least Concern, indicating a stable population across its range.

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized: Cecropis semirufa gordoni, which is smaller and slightly duller and found in the northern part of the range, and Cecropis semirufa semirufa, which inhabits southern Africa. Birds breeding in East Africa show intermediate characteristics and have been proposed as a potential third subspecies, Cecropis semirufa neumanni.