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White-throated Swallow | Hirundo albigularis

The White-throated Swallow is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Hirundinidae bird family group which includes birds such as Hirundinidae.

The description for the White-throated Swallow (Latin name Hirundo albigularis) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Hirundo albigularis can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 520 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 750. You will find a picture of the White-throated Swallow on page 816.

NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any.

There have been no changes in the common name between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the White-throated Swallow between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition

The White-throated Swallow is known in Afrikaans as Witkeelswael.

The White-throated Swallow has a height of 15 cms and weighs around 23 gms. The head is coloured chestnut while the bill is coloured brown. The Hirundo albigularis has a white coloured throat, yellow legs and a chestnut coloured back. The eyes are brown.

Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts.

Head is chestnut

Eyes are brown

Bill is brown

Legs are yellow

Throat is white

Back is chestnut

Feeding Habits ...

This bird forages for food on the ground

The Hirundo albigularis attacks its prey aerially and feeds on wing or takes the prey to a secluded venue where it is killed, torn into small pieces and eaten

This bird has a specially adapted bill which helps it hunt for fish, crabs, shrimp and other aquatic animals in the water.

This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten .

Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...

The White-throated Swallow is a monogamous bird which means that the bird finds and breeds with one partner for the rest of its life. The bird lays between 2 to 5 eggs and they are coloured pink.

The bird builds its nest above water as a means of protecting itself from predators and to be close to its main food source which includes fish, shrimp and frogs.

The White-throated Swallow is found in the Southern African wetlands, riverine forests and moist grasslands.

The bird is at home in riverine forests and close to water bodies such as lakes, dams and streams

You can see the White-throated Swallow bird on coastal regions and on the sea shore where the bird will be foraging with other birds

Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...

The White-throated Swallow is mainly seen singly or in pairs in the wild.

This bird is usually seen in small family groups or in large flocks

The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition * edited by PAR Hockey, WRJ Dean and PG Ryan, published by "The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund."