Red-rumped swallow

Amazing flyers — they can even drink water while they’re flying!

Birds of Gilgit-Baltistan


Red-rumped swallow

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Amazing flyers — they can even drink water while they’re flying!

Population 10M – 500M

A captivating bird species known for its graceful flight and striking appearance. This small swallow is most notable for its glossy blue back, red rump, and a creamy underbelly, which makes it quite eye-catching in its natural habitat. These birds are often seen gracefully swooping through the air, their long, forked tails and agile movements allowing them to perform acrobatic feats while catching insects mid-flight.

Red-rumped Swallows are migratory birds, with a range that spans across Europe, Asia, and Africa. They typically breed in the warmer climates of southern Europe and Asia and then migrate southwards to Africa and South Asia to escape the cold winter months. Their nests are quite unique, built from mud pellets and often located under cliff overhangs or inside buildings, like barns or bridges, protecting them from predators and harsh weather.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Red-rumped Swallow is its social behavior. These birds are highly social and often found in groups, especially during migration when they form large flocks. Their aerial displays during this time are a spectacular sight, with groups of swallows swirling in the sky as they communicate with each other through a series of chirps and calls.

These swallows are insectivores, relying on flying insects for nourishment. Their diet includes a variety of insects, such as beetles, moths, and flying ants. Their skill in capturing prey mid-air is a testament to their agility and precise flying abilities, which are not just a means of feeding but also a defense mechanism against potential threats.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Afghanistan
2016
Breeding
Albania
2016
Breeding
Algeria
2016
Breeding
Australia
2016
Non-Breeding
Austria
2016
Vagrant
Bahrain
2016
Passage
Bangladesh
2016
Belgium
2016
Vagrant
Benin
2016
Bhutan
2016
Bosnia And Herz.
2016
Breeding
Brunei
2016
Bulgaria
2016
Breeding
Burkina Faso
2016
Burundi
2016
Cambodia
2016
Cameroon
2016
Central Af. Rep.
2016
Chad
2016
Non-Breeding
China
2016
Croatia
2016
Breeding
Cyprus
2016
Côte D’ivoire
2016
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
2016
Denmark
2016
Passage
East Timor
2016
Egypt
2016
Non-Breeding
Eritrea
2016
Ethiopia
2016
Finland
2016
Vagrant
France
2016
Gabon
2016
Gambia
2016
Germany
2016
Vagrant
Ghana
2016
Gibraltar
2016
Breeding
Greece
2016
Guinea-Bissau
2016
Guinea
2016
Hong Kong
2016
Iceland
2016
Vagrant
India
2016
Indonesia
2016
Iran
2016
Iraq
2016
Ireland
2016
Vagrant
Israel
2016
Breeding
Italy
2016
Breeding
Japan
2016
Jordan
2016
Kazakhstan
2016
Breeding
Kenya
2016
Korea
2016
Breeding
Kuwait
2016
Breeding
Kyrgyzstan
2016
Breeding
Laos
2016
Lebanon
2016
Breeding
Liberia
2016
Libya
2016
Breeding
Luxembourg
2016
Vagrant
Malawi
2016
Malaysia
2016
Maldives
2016
Vagrant
Mali
2016
Malta
2016
Breeding
Mauritania
2016
Non-Breeding
Mongolia
2016
Breeding
Montenegro
2016
Breeding
Myanmar
2016
Netherlands
2016
Vagrant
Niger
2016
Nigeria
2016
North Korea
2016
Breeding
North Macedonia
2016
Breeding
Norway
2016
Vagrant
Oman
2016
Breeding
Pakistan
2016
Breeding
Philippines
2016
Poland
2016
Vagrant
Portugal
2016
Breeding
Qatar
2016
Passage
Romania
2016
Breeding
Russia
2016
Breeding
Rwanda
2016
Saudi Arabia
2016
Breeding
Senegal
2016
Serbia
2016
Breeding
Sierra Leone
2016
Singapore
2016
Slovenia
2016
Breeding
Somalia
2016
South Sudan
2016
Spain
2016
Sudan
2016
Sweden
2016
Vagrant
Switzerland
2016
Vagrant
Syria
2016
Breeding
Taiwan
2016
Tajikistan
2016
Breeding
Tanzania
2016
Thailand
2016
Togo
2016
Tunisia
2016
Breeding
Turkmenistan
2016
Breeding
Turkey
2016
Breeding
UAE
2016
Breeding
Uganda
2016
United Kingdom
2016
Vagrant
Uzbekistan
2016
Breeding
Vietnam
2016
Yemen
2016
Breeding
Zambia
2016
Zimbabwe
2016

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Get to know me

Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Flock

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No