Ethiopian Swallow.
Hirundo aethiopica.
The most numerous swallow in Nigeria.
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Ethiopian Swallow. Hirundo aethiopica. The most numerous swallow in Nigeria. |
| Recognition: Small. Glossy deep-blue above and essentially all white below from chin to under the tail. The forehead is dark red., visible at close range. Whitish underparts without dark throat, and absence of red from crown or rump, are distinctive for this species of swallow. |
| Distribution: Throughout the eastern half of West Africa and beyond into eastern Africa. |
| Habits: Strongly gregarious. Although essentially a town species, also hunts insects above forest. Often perching in large numbers on telegraph wires along busy town streets. There is eveidence of some local migration, numbers fluctuating considerably. Courtship display of the male involves hovering over the perched female. The nest, built of mud pellets, is often placed inside a room close below the roof. Breeding occurs in the early rains. |
| Call: A sweet, canary-like song in the breeding season and a metallic call of "chip", like the last species. |
