Red-rumped Swallow

The Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica) is a small, graceful passerine bird, a member of the swallow family. It is characterized by its blue upperparts and dusky underparts, with a distinctive pale or reddish rump, face, and neck collar. Unlike the Barn Swallow, it lacks a breast band but features black undertails. Its wings are broad yet pointed, allowing for swift and agile flight.

Identification Tips

To identify the Red-rumped Swallow, look for its darker underparts compared to the Barn Swallow, and the absence of a breast band. The rump is pale or reddish, providing a stark contrast to the blue upperparts. The bird's flight is fast, with frequent swoops as it pursues airborne insects.

Habitat

This species is often found in open hilly country, where it can be seen gracefully hawking for insects over grasslands. It is also known to adapt to human structures, nesting under cliff overhangs, on buildings, and bridges.

Distribution

The Red-rumped Swallow has a wide distribution, breeding in temperate southern Europe and Asia, from Portugal and Spain to Japan, India, Sri Lanka, and tropical Africa. While the Indian and African populations are resident, European and other Asian birds are migratory, wintering in Africa or India.

Behaviour

These swallows are gregarious outside the breeding season, often seen in large numbers on the plains of India. They do not typically form large breeding colonies but are known to be social. Their flight is characterized by swift, agile movements as they feed on insects in the air.

Song & Calls

The Red-rumped Swallow communicates with a series of chirps and trills, a delightful symphony that fills the air especially during the breeding season.

Breeding

The Red-rumped Swallow constructs quarter-sphere nests with a tunnel entrance, using mud collected in their beaks. They lay 3 to 6 eggs and prefer to nest under cliff overhangs or on human-made structures.

Similar Species

The Red-rumped Swallow may be confused with the Barn Swallow but can be distinguished by its darker underparts, lack of a breast band, and the pale or reddish rump.

Diet and Feeding

This species is an aerial insectivore, feeding on insects caught in flight. They are adept at catching their prey mid-air, often following cattle or taking advantage of grass fires to find insects.

Conservation status

The Red-rumped Swallow is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. It has a vast range and a population in the millions, with no significant declining trends observed. In Europe, the species is expanding its range northward.