What do blue and white swallows eat?

What does the blue and white swallow eat?

The blue-and-white swallow subsists primarily on a diet of insects, caught in the air; they have been seen to gather where termites swarm. The flight is typically fluttery, and this swallow frequently perches on wires or branches.

What is the scientific name for the blue-and-white swallow?

The blue-and-white swallow was first formally described as Hirundo cyanoleuca by the French ornithologist Louis Vieillot in 1817, based on a specimen he believed to be from Paraguay. The scientific name has the same meaning as the English common name. This species was formerly placed in the genus Notiochelidon.

What is the scientific name for the blue and white swallow?

The blue-and-white swallow was first formally described as Hirundo cyanoleuca by the French ornithologist Louis Vieillot in 1817, based on a specimen he believed to be from Paraguay. The scientific name has the same meaning as the English common name.

What does a blue swallow look like?

Young blue swallows start life a brownish-grey, acquiring their blue colour as they mature. This species has a musical “bee-bee-bee-bee” call when in flight. Blue swallows feed on small, soft-bodied flies and other arthropods, catching them on the wing.

Are swallows and Martins related?

The Swallows and Martins are members of the Hirundinidae family that comprises two subfamilies: Pseudochelidoninae (the river martins of the genus Pseudochelidon) and. Hirundininae (all other swallows and martins).

What kind of body does a swallow have?

The Swallows and Martins are members of the Hirundinidae family that comprises two subfamilies: Hirundininae (all other swallows and martins). They have slender, streamlined bodies; long, pointed wings and most of them have long tails. Their feet are designed for perching rather than walking.

What kind of feathers do blue swallows have?

White feathers are visible on the rump and flanks when the birds are preening and especially during courtship. In poor light, Blue swallows appear almost black and therefore can be mistaken for Black saw-wing swallows which occur throughout their breeding range.

What is a blue swallow?

Blue swallows are small songbirds found in Africa. The adult birds have a highly lustrous dark metallic steel-blue appearance with long tail streamers, which are particularly noticeable in males.

What kind of feathers do tree swallows have?

This species has black and white feathers with blue-green iridescent shimmer on its wings and tail feathers. The diet consists mainly of insects, grains and fruit. Tree Swallows are small, blue birds that can be found all over North America.

Are blue swallows protected in South Africa?

Only 10% of the breeding population of Blue Swallows in South Africa occur on formally protected land and, thus, the onus falls on the private land owner to protect these special birds. These birds utilises the same habitat that is of high agricultural value to farmers.

Where do blue swallows come from?

It is in these fragmented patches of grassland where the Blue Swallow ( Hirundo atrocaerulea) come to breed every summer. Only 10% of the breeding population of Blue Swallows in South Africa occur on formally protected land and, thus, the onus falls on the private land owner to protect these special birds.

What does a blue swallow bird look like?

Blue swallows are small songbirds found in Africa. The adult birds have a highly lustrous dark metallic steel-blue appearance with long tail streamers, which are particularly noticeable in males. White feathers are visible on the rump and flanks when the birds are preening and especially during courtship.

How do you identify a juvenile tree swallow?

Juvenile Tree Swallows can have an indistinct chest band, but never as clean and crisp as Bank Swallow Pretty common, at times quite numerous. Extremely distinctive shape. The silhouette alone is enough to identify this species.

What is BirdLife South Africa doing to protect biodiversity?

BirdLife South Africa is a co-author on the draft Blue Swallow Biodiversity Management Plan, jointly prepared by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Conservation Outcomes, Endangered Wildlife Trust and BirdLife South Africa.

How many blue swallows are left in South Africa?

Their breeding habitat forms part of the KZN Mistbelt Grasslands Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) and with less than 40 pairs left in South Africa, BirdLife South Africa’s Landscape Conservation Programme manages the Blue Swallow Stewardship Project in collaboration with Conservation Outcomes and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

Why are blue swallows important to farmers?

These birds utilises the same habitat that is of high agricultural value to farmers. The area where Blue Swallows occur is a high production dairy, beef and timber area. This landscape is a highly competitive one for Blue Swallows as well as landowners.

What kind of bird is the South African cliff swallow?

The South African cliff swallow (Petrochelidon spilodera), also known as the South African swallow, is a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae native to central−western and southern Africa.

How many babies does a tree swallow have?

Tree swallow. This can benefit the male, but since the female controls copulation, the lack of resolution on how this behaviour benefits females makes the high level of extra-pair paternity puzzling. The female incubates the clutch of two to eight (but usually four to seven) pure white eggs, usually for 14 to 15 days.

Are swallows long distance migrants?

A number of European and North American species are long-distance migrants; by contrast, the West and South African swallows are non-migratory. This family comprises two subfamilies: Pseudochelidoninae (the river martins of the genus Pseudochelidon) and Hirundininae (all other swallows, martins and saw-wings).

What is the size of a swallow’s territory?

The size of the territory varies depending on the species of swallow; in colonial-nesting species, it tends to be small, but it may be much larger for solitary nesters. Outside the breeding season, some species may form large flocks, and species may also roost communally.

What is BirdLife International’s International Bird action plan?

BirdLife International’s IBA concept has been developed and applied for over 35 years. No one likes to start with the negative, but as a conservation NGO one of BirdLife South Africa’s objectives is to mitigate threats to our birds and the habitats on which they depend.

What is BirdLife South Africa?

BirdLife South Africa’s mission is that the IBA Programme will assist in determining national conservation priorities for South Africa, as well as become a vital tool in conserving these areas through a national network of partners and Site Support Groups. Read More..