White-throated Blue Swallow

Alternative names: White-bibbed Swallow; Little Blue Swallow; West African Swallow; White-chinned Swallow

Hirundo nigrita

Identification

12 cm.

• Mostly glossy steel-blue plumage with purple sheen
• White patch on throat
• Black wings with purple gloss
• Black tail with blue gloss almost square, white patches on inner webs of feathers
• Blackish underwing-coverts

Sexes similar. Juveniles are browner and duller than adults.

Distribution

Western and Central Africa: From Sierra Leone to Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin and Nigeria east to Central African Republic and DR Congo and south to northern Angola. Possibly also in extreme western Uganda.
Locally common.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.
Is sometimes considered to form a superspecies with Wire-tailed Swallow.

Habitat

Found along streams and rivers in rainforests. Also in mangroves, harbours, lagoons and land spits.

Behaviour

Has a rapid flight with frequent banking and occasional gliding.

Diet

Feeds on insects.
Forages in pairs, sometimes in small groups.

Breeding

Breeds in dry season when the river levels are low. A solitary breeder, aggressive towards intruders.
The nest is an open cup made of mud pellets and some dry grass. It's affixed under a horizontal surface on a rock, a fallen tree or a cliff. Also sometimes under a bridge or a pier. Lays 2-3 eggs.

Movements

A resident species, possibly some local movements.

References

1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
2. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved July 2014)

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) White-throated Blue Swallow. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White-throated_Blue_Swallow

External Links

Search for photos of White-throated Blue Swallow in the gallery