Greater Striped Swallow

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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.

Greater Striped Swallow bringing mud to build its nest on the veranda of Thendele’s unit 27
Greater Striped Swallows bringing mud to build their nest on the veranda of Thendele’s unit 27
Greater Striped Swallow bringing mud to build its nest on the veranda of Thendele’s unit 27
Greater Striped Swallow bringing mud to build its nest on the veranda of Thendele’s unit 27
Greater Striped Swallow nest
Proud builder
Departing to get some more building material
Greater Striped Swallow
Greater Striped Swallow
Greater Striped Swallow
Greater Striped Swallows
Greater Striped Swallows swooping over the lawns of the camp (photo by Joubert)
Greater Striped Swallow
Greater Striped Swallow
Greater Striped Swallow sitting on the patio furniture at Doornkop
Greater Striped Swallow

 

19 thoughts on “Greater Striped Swallow”

    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      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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