Cecropis cucullata
One of our most familiar swallows, often found in close association with human habitation, is the Greater Striped Swallow. They prefer open, undulating and mountainous habitats, often near open water, where they hawk the flying insects that form their staple diet.
Greater Striped Swallows breed from early spring to deep in autumn and build mud-nests beneath overhanging rocks and toppled trees, but they have adapted well to using the underside of roofs and bridges for the purpose (see photos). Usually clutches consist of 3 eggs, incubated by the female alone for 3 weeks though both parents feed the chicks once hatched. The chicks start flying when they’re a month old but will return to the safety of the nest for a few days afterwards still. Adults measure about 18cm long and weigh around 25g.
Greater Striped Swallows are to be seen seasonally in most of Africa south of the equator, “wintering” in the DRC, Angola and Tanzania and moving southwards to breed in southern Africa from August to March – during summer they occur in virtually every corner of South Africa. The IUCN considers it to be of least concern.
I love swallows, martins and swifts! They mean SUMMER!! 😉
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We’re lucky that a few species stay around year round!
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I see the swallows closer to home. Sadly with all the new builds up North, they do not have homes like they used to 😦
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We’re pushing wildlife into ever smaller corners, sadly.
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😢
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Elegant and cute ☺
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Especially when they make themselves so at home around us!
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What a beautiful bird!
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Nodding in agreement, Montucky!
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Such a beautiful bird (again)! It’s great to see different types of swallows 🙂
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They’re such elegant birds, aren’t they Takami!?
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Oh yes, absolutely!! Really appreciate you sharing them with the world 😀
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A beautiful swallow!😊 It is different to the species of swallows we have in Sweden, they do not have the red color on the head.
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Thanks, John! We also get the Barn Swallows here in South Africa during summer, and I always wonder whether you or someone else that follows our blog saw the same individual birds we do while they were up north…
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I didn’t know there are other swallows as well as the ubiquitous Welcome Swallow. Your swallow is a very attractive bird!
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The swallows are actually a rather large bird family – around 90 species according to Wikipedia!
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Ek wonder of dit te koud vir swaeltjies is hier. Mens sien eintlik geen swaeltjies hier nie. Daardie sittery op die drade om reg te maak vir die wegtrek na warmer dele het altyd gewys dat winter nou oppad is. Baie mooi fotos wat jy geneem het.
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Baie dankie, Ineke!
Ek wonder of New Zealand nie net TE ver oor die water vir hulle le om suidwaarts te migreer nie?
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Moet wees. Hul moet weer terug ook. Ek dink hul sal wel tot Australie gaan want die le op selfde hooge as SA.
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