The Welcome Swallow
(Hirundo neoxena) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family.
It is a species native to Australia and nearby islands, but not
until recently to New Zealand, which has been colonised in the
last half century. It is very similar to the Pacific Swallow with
which it is often considered conspecific. This species breeds
in southern and eastern Australia in a variety of habitats, 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.
|
|
The Welcome Swallow
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. These birds are about 15 cm long, including the outer
tail feathers which are slightly shorter in the female. The call
is a mixture of twittering and soft warbling notes, and a sharp
whistle in alarm. Young Welcome Swallows are buffy white, instead
of rufous, on the forehead and throat, and have shorter tail streamers.
Welcome Swallows readily breed close to human habitation. The
nest is an open cup of mud and grass, made by both sexes, and
is attached to a suitable structure, such as a vertical rock wall
or building. It is lined with feathers and fur, and three to five
eggs are laid. Two broods are often raised in a season.
Above Images Are From The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
|
