©Leo: A Welcome Swallow on the wheel of the Pilot's boat at Eden harbour, Bega Valley, New South Wales, Australia
©Malcolm Tattersall: Welcome Swallow hunting on the wing in Australia
Colours
Distinguishing features
It is metallic blue-black above, light grey below on the breast and belly, and rusty on the forehead, throat and upper breast. It has a long forked tail, with a row of white spots on the individual feathers. (Wikipedias)
Size
- Up to 15 cm (Length of specimen)
Wingspan
- Wingspan data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
It is a species native to Australia and nearby islands, and self-introduced into New Zealand in the middle of the twentieth century.
This species breeds in southern and eastern Australia in a variety of habitats, mostly in open areas, man made clearings or urban environments, but not desert or dense forest. Eastern populations are largely migratory, wintering in northern Australia. Western birds and those in New Zealand are mainly sedentary. (Wikipedia)
Local abundance
- Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand: abundant
Audio recordings
Diet
These birds are extremely agile fliers, which feed on insects while in flight. They often fly fast and low to the ground on open fields in large circles or figure eight patterns. They will often swoop around animals or people in the open. (Wikipedia)
