IT’S summertime, therefore, the swallows are visiting! There are 13 species of swallow that visit southern Africa, but only five come as far as our area, and the Greater Striped Swallow is one of them.

Also read: Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – Yellow-Throated Longclaw

Description

All of the swallow species are very striking, and the Greater Striped Swallow is no exception. This is a beautiful and graceful bird with a rufous cap, glossy blue back, pale buff and streaked underparts with a long, black forked tail. Males and females are identical in appearance. The Greater Striped Swallow is one of the larger swallows at 20cm in length and a weight of 18g. It can be confused with the slightly smaller Lesser Striped Swallow which is much more heavily streaked.

Distribution

The Greater Striped Swallow is found across the entire country with the exception of the northern part of the Northern Cape. It is present in our area from about late September through to late April after which it migrates to central Africa.

Habitat

This species enjoys open areas, such as grasslands, and is very common in hilly or mountainous areas. It has adapted well to humans and is often found in and around towns/settlements.

Feeding

The Greater Striped Swallow feeds mainly on insects which it hawks in flight, but it is also known to eat small fruits.

Breeding

Southern Africa is the breeding ground for the Greater Striped Swallow, and the bowl-shaped nest is built with mud, usually on the underside of a structure, such as a bridge or the porch of a house. The nest has a distinctive long tunnel entrance. The nest is often re-used over several years by at least one adult of a mating pair.

The female usually lays three eggs which take just under three weeks to hatch after which both parents feed the chicks.

Predators and threats

The Greater Striped Swallow is listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and population numbers are steady.

Local information

You are likely to spot the Greater Striped Swallow in the vicinity of the grasslands in our area, or if you are lucky, you may even have them nesting on your veranda!

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