Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Delichon lagopodum
Family: Swallows · Status: Vagrant · Size: 13–14 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Breeds in East Asia from the Yenisey River and Altai Mountains east to northeastern China; winters mainly in Southeast Asia.
Blue-black tail and upperparts extending to the head as a cap. Underparts, face and rump white. Told apart from Barn, Pacific and Red-rumped Swallow by unstreaked all white underparts and white rump; from Sand Martin by blue-black rather than brown upperparts and prominent white rump. Told apart from very similar Asian House Martin by more extensive white rump that extends to the upper tail coverts.
Open areas and forest edges; often forages aerially over open ground and at forest margins.
Feeds aerially in flocks with a slow flap-and-glide flight; forages high up, taking small aerial insects.