Hirundo daurica (Swallow)
Hirundo daurica – Swallow (click to enlarge)
| Common name | Swallow |
| Scientific name | Hirundo daurica |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Description | It has a glossy deep blue above, fulvous white below finely streaked with dark brown. The chestnut half-collar on hind neck, the deeply forked ‘swallow’ tail, and the chestnut rump (conspicuous when banking in flight) are diagnostic points. Sometimes the red rump looks very pale- almost whitish. Sexes alike. Pairs or parties hawking insects on the wing about cliff, ancient hill forts, ruined buildings, etc., also open country. All India up to 500- 2000m in Himalayas. Similar to those of the Common Swallow and often seen hawking in association with it, and with crag martins and swifts. Nest – a retort-shaped structure of plastered mud with a narrow tubular entrance, stuck flat against the ceiling of a rock overhang, cave, or veranda of occupied dwelling. The bulbous egg chamber is lined with feathers. Eggs – 3 or 4, pure white. Both sexes share in building the nest and feeding the young. |