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A fairly large, colorful swallow.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilySwallows
SizeSmall
RarityUncommon
HabitatOpen sky above wetlands, paddocks, towns, rivers, and edges with active aerial insect movement.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from December to January.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Francesco Sottile
Range map
Range map
116visible hotspots
746visible records
5states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Usually easy to identify with its long, forked tail and dark rump. Iridescent navy-blue above with a rich orange throat and forehead. Underparts vary across range, from bright buffy-orange to whitish. Occurs in any open habitat, especially large fields and wetlands. Listen for dry, scratchy “svit svit” calls. Note head and breast pattern and tail length to help separate from various similar species in Africa, Asia, and Australia (e.g., Welcome Swallow, Angolan Swallow, Pacific Swallow).
Behavior
Often seen foraging in flocks, sometimes mixed with other species of swallow. Typically nests close to human habitation; builds a muddy cup nest in a barn or under a dock.
Gallery