Mosque Swallow.
Hirundo senegalensis.
Distinctly larger than all other swallows.
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Mosque Swallow. Hirundo senegalensis. Distinctly larger than all other swallows. |
| Recognition: Small medium. Collar and rump rufous, the remaining upper parts very dark blue. The underparts also rufous (not nearly white as in the last species). The flight is dintinctive, being much slower than other swallows'. It includes much gliding when the white underside to the inner half of the wing contrasts sharply with the blackish outer half. The tail-forks curve towards one another. |
| Distribution: Throughout the savannahs of West Africa but subject to some migration. |
| Habits: Usually in small flocks. The flight, usually rather high, is an alternation of flapping and gliding and seems lethargic for a swallow. Perch in bare trees as well as on wires. Quite early in the rains can be seen gathering mud pullets from roadside puddles but nest-building seems to be a slow process and occurs in a variety of places, hollow trees, beneath house-eaves or bridges, or below a cliff ledge. The nest is flask-shaped. |
| Call: Quite distinctive and twanging, like the note of a toy trumpet. |
