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Red-rumped Swallow![]() Size: 14-19 cm (incl. 3-5 cm tail projection; race "rufula") Weight: 19-29 g |
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Photos |
Race "rufula"
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ADULT |
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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]
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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]
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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]
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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 |
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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]
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Eggs |
Size: 20 x 14 mm | Colour: White | Shape: Tapered oval |
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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]
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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]