Pacific Swallow

Hirundo javanica

Family: Swallows · Status: Very common resident · Size: 13–14 cm · Conservation: Not Evaluated

Range

Resident across Southeast Asia to New Guinea and the Society Islands.

Identification

Dark upperparts with blue gloss; shallow forked tail; blackish undertail coverts with white scalloping. Rufous forehead, throat and upper breast; underparts grey with slightly darker flanks; grey underwing coverts. Juvenile is duller with paler rufous areas and a shorter tail. Told apart from Barn Swallow by lack of complete dark breast-band, darker and dingier underparts, darker underwing coverts, and shorter tail. Told apart from Eastern Red-rumped Swallow by lack of contrasting pale rump, and unstreaked underparts.

Habitat

Aerial over open ground, coastal areas, wetlands, and forest edges.

Behaviour

Aerial insectivore; forages with fast, determined flight, typically within 30 m of the ground. Often roosts with Barn Swallows.