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The Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica) is a small, graceful passerine bird, a member of the swallow family. It is characterized by its blue upperparts and dusky underparts, with a distinctive pale or reddish rump, face, and neck collar. Unlike the Barn Swallow, it lacks a breast band but features black undertails. Its wings are broad yet pointed, allowing for swift and agile flight.
To identify the Red-rumped Swallow, look for its darker underparts compared to the Barn Swallow, and the absence of a breast band. The rump is pale or reddish, providing a stark contrast to the blue upperparts. The bird's flight is fast, with frequent swoops as it pursues airborne insects.
This species is often found in open hilly country, where it can be seen gracefully hawking for insects over grasslands. It is also known to adapt to human structures, nesting under cliff overhangs, on buildings, and bridges.
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The Red-rumped Swallow has a wide distribution, breeding in temperate southern Europe and Asia, from Portugal and Spain to Japan, India, Sri Lanka, and tropical Africa. While the Indian and African populations are resident, European and other Asian birds are migratory, wintering in Africa or India.
These swallows are gregarious outside the breeding season, often seen in large numbers on the plains of India. They do not typically form large breeding colonies but are known to be social. Their flight is characterized by swift, agile movements as they feed on insects in the air.
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The Red-rumped Swallow communicates with a series of chirps and trills, a delightful symphony that fills the air especially during the breeding season.
The Red-rumped Swallow constructs quarter-sphere nests with a tunnel entrance, using mud collected in their beaks. They lay 3 to 6 eggs and prefer to nest under cliff overhangs or on human-made structures.
This species is an aerial insectivore, feeding on insects caught in flight. They are adept at catching their prey mid-air, often following cattle or taking advantage of grass fires to find insects.
