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25

Red-rumped Swallow

(Cecropsis daurica)
German name(s): "Rötelschwalbe"
Size: 14-19 cm (incl. 3-5 cm tail projection; race "rufula")
Weight: 19-29 g

Similar
species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See Red-rumped Swallow at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

Race "rufula"

ADULT

MALE

Lateral view of a Red-rumped Swallow in flight - note the rusty-red nape of the neck; the very long tail streamers suggest that this may be a male (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2020]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a male Red-rumped Swallow in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a Red-rumped Swallow; the rusty-red sides of the head, combined with relatively short tail streamers, may suggest that this is a female (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, August 2020]

Sex unknown

Frontal/ventral view of a Red-rumped Swallow (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alcochete, Setubal, Portugal, April 2019]

Frontal/ventral view of a Red-rumped Swallow stretching a wing (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alcochete, Setubal, Portugal, April 2019]

Lateral view of a Red-rumped Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]

Lateral/ventral view of two Red-rumped Swallows (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, March 2016]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a Red-rumped Swallow (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alcochete, Setubal, Portugal, April 2019]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a Red-rumped Swallow stretching its wings (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alcochete, Setubal, Portugal, April 2019]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of two Red-rumped Swallows, showing the characteristic red rump (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2017]

Dorsal view of a Red-rumped Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Raia river, Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2020]

Frontal view of a Red-rumped Swallow in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]

Near-frontal view of a Red-rumped Swallow in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Raia river, Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2020]

Lateral/ventral view of a Red-rumped Swallow in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Herdade do Esporao, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Evora, Portugal, January 2023]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a Red-rumped Swallow in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Herdade do Esporao, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Evora, Portugal, January 2023]

Dorsal view of a Red-rumped Swallow in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]

Red-rumped Swallow, left, in comparison with a Sand Martin (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, October 2019]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Lateral/ventral view of a juvenile Red-rumped Swallow (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2015]

Lateral/ventral view of two juvenile Red-rumped Swallows (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Fuseta, Faro, Algarve, Portugal, October 2020]

Lateral/ventral view of an adult Red-rumped Swallow, centre, with two dependent juveniles (photo courtesy of S. Cuturilov)
[Paralia, Greece, September 2017]

Adult Red-rumped Swallow, lower left, with a juvenile (photo courtesy of S. Cuturilov)
[Paralia, Greece, September 2017]

Begging juvenile Red-rumped Swallow (photo courtesy of S. Cuturilov)
[Paralia, Greece, September 2017]

Lateral/ventral view of a juvenile Red-rumped Swallow in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2018]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a juvenile Red-rumped Swallow in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Santa Justa, Coruche, Portugal, September 2020]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Apr - Sep Eggs: 2 - 7 Incubation period: ca. 14 days Fledging age: 26 - 27 days

The length of the breeding season depends on geographic latitude and is different in Europe from other parts of their range. The number of eggs laid depends on race. Most commonly 4-5 eggs are laid. Pairs often have two, sometimes even 3 broods per season.

Nest building: Female & male Incubation: Female & male Dependent care: Female & male

Nest

Type: Bottle-shaped mud nest Material: Mud glued to overhanging surface, feathers Height above ground: 5 - 20 m

Red-rumped Swallow nest (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2013]

(Old, disused?) Red-rumped Swallow nest (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2013]

Eggs

Size: 20 x 14 mm Colour: White Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Red-rumped Swallows congregating in preparation for departure (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, October 2018]

Red-rumped Swallows congregating in preparation for departure (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, October 2019]

Food, Diet

Adults: Small insects Dependents: As adults Water intake: Daily(?)

Like all other swallows known to us, Red-rumped Swallows are insect hunters. They feed in-flight on small insects.

Near-frontal view of a Red-rumped Swallow scooping up water in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2018]

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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