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Wire-tailed swallow
Wire-tailed swallow
Wire-tailed swallow
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Wire-tailed swallow
At Mahisagar River, Vadodara
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Genus: Hirundo
Species:
H. smithii
Binomial name
Hirundo smithii
Leach, 1818

The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family. It has two subspecies: H. s. smithii, which occurs throughout Africa, and H. s. filifera, which is found in southern and southeastern Asia. It is mainly resident, but populations in Pakistan and northern India migrate further south in winter. The genus name Hirundo is the Latin word for swallow.[2] The species name smithii commemorates Christen Smith, a Norwegian botanist and geologist.[3]

Description

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The wire-tailed swallow is a small swallow, measuring 18 cm (7.1 in) in length. It has bright blue upperparts, bright white underparts and a chestnut cap. Immature birds lack tail wires, and have dull brown (rather than chestnut) caps.[4] The species is named for the very long filamentous outermost tail feathers, which trail behind like two wires. The sexes are similar in appearance, but the female has shorter "wires". Juveniles have a brown crown, back and tail. The Asian form, H. s. filifera, is larger and longer-tailed than the abundant African H. s. smithii.

Habits

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This bird is found in open country near water and human habitation. Wire-tailed swallows are fast flyers and they generally feed on insects, especially flies, while airborne. They are typically seen low over water, with which they are more closely associated than most swallows.

Parent approaching with food
Transferring the food
Feeding its offspring

Nesting

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The neat half-bowl nests are lined with mud collected in the swallows' beaks. They are placed on vertical surfaces near water under cliff ledges or nowadays more commonly on man-made structures such as buildings and bridges. The clutch is three to four eggs in Africa, up to five in Asia (Turner and Rose). These birds are solitary and territorial nesters, unlike many swallows, which tend to be colonial.

Taxonomy and systematics

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The wire-tailed swallow is a member of the genus Hirundo, a cosmopolitan group of "barn swallows". It has two subspecies:[5]

  • H. s. smithii was first described by William Elford Leach and K. D. Koenig in 1818.[6] Known as the African wire-tailed swallow, it is found throughout Africa.[5]
  • H. s. filifera was first described by Stephens in 1826.[6] Also known as the Asian wire-tailed swallow, it is found in southern and southeastern Asia.[5]
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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Wire-tailed swallow

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) is a small bird in the Hirundinidae, known for its distinctive elongated, wire-like outer feathers that extend well beyond the rest of the . It measures 14–21 cm in length and weighs 9–17 g, with adults displaying a rufous-chestnut and , glossy -black upperparts and wings, creamy underparts streaked with on the breast and flanks, and patches on the inner feathers. Females have shorter filaments than males, while juveniles are duller overall with paler and shorter . This species inhabits a wide range across from to northeastern and southern from to , where it is classified into two : H. s. smithii in and H. s. filifera in . It is a full migrant, with an extent of occurrence spanning 54,600,000 km², and occurs from up to 2,700 m in elevation, though it is most common below 2,000 m. The wire-tailed swallow prefers open habitats such as grasslands, savannas, , and urban areas, often near water bodies like lakes, rivers, and canals, and it roosts communally in reedbeds or tamarisk trees. Ecologically, it is an aerial , feeding primarily on flies, beetles, bugs, , moths, mayflies, hymenopterans, and , which it catches in low-level flights typically 4–5 m above ground or , often in pairs or small groups. Breeding occurs in the , with nests constructed as cups attached to vertical surfaces such as building walls, bridges, or cliffs; clutches consist of 2–5 eggs (usually 3), incubated for 13–19 days (mostly 14–15 days) by the female, and fledging takes 15–24 days (usually 18–21 days). Nests are often reused in subsequent seasons, and the species benefits from human-modified environments that provide artificial nest sites. The wire-tailed swallow is evaluated as Least Concern on the , with no major threats identified and a trend that is increasing due to range expansions facilitated by alterations. It is generally common to locally abundant across much of its range, though less frequent in western and parts of the .

Taxonomy

Classification

The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) is classified within the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, family Hirundinidae, Hirundo, and H. smithii. The was named Hirundo smithii by in 1818, with the name Hirundo deriving from the Latin word for "," and the specific epithet smithii honoring Christen Smith, a Norwegian botanist and geologist. Phylogenetically, the wire-tailed swallow is positioned within the swallow family Hirundinidae as a member of the genus Hirundo, which represents the core group of swallows and is the most species-rich genus in the family. Two subspecies are recognized: H. s. smithii and H. s. filifera.

Subspecies

The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) is classified into two : the nominate H. s. smithii, which is distributed across from and southern through central to central and southeastern , , , , and south to northern , northern , and northeastern , and H. s. filifera, which occurs in southern and southeastern as a breeding visitor in southern , southern , , northern , and northwestern , while being resident from southeastern through , southwestern , , northern , , , and central Vietnam. Morphologically, H. s. filifera is larger overall and possesses longer tail wires compared to the nominate H. s. smithii, which is smaller with relatively shorter tails; in both , females exhibit shorter tails than males. These are distinguished primarily by their size and tail length differences while sharing the species' core identifying features, such as glossy upperparts and rufous-chestnut forehead and crown; no instances of hybridization between them have been documented, consistent with their disjunct geographic ranges.

Description

Morphology

The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) measures 14–21 cm in total length, including its elongated outer tail feathers that form thin, wire-like streamers, and weighs 9–17 g. It features a slender body typical of aerial insectivores in the family Hirundinidae, with a short bill equipped with a wide gape for capturing flying prey, and long, pointed wings suited for agile, maneuverable flight. Sexual dimorphism is minimal, with males and females largely similar in size and structure, except that females possess slightly shorter tail streamers than males. Juveniles differ from adults in having duller with browner tones on and upperparts, shorter tail wires, and less vibrant blue on the upper body.

Plumage variation

The adult wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) displays striking plumage characterized by glossy blue upperparts, a rufous-chestnut forehead and crown, clean white underparts with blue patches on the breast sides and flanks, and black wings and tail feathers glossed with blue, featuring white patches on the inner webs of most rectrices except the central pair. The outermost tail feathers are elongated into distinctive thin black filaments, or "wires," that trail behind the bird during flight. Two are recognized, with coloration similar across both but subtle structural variations: the nominate H. s. smithii (African) is smaller overall with shorter wires, while H. s. filifera (Asian) is larger and possesses longer wires. Females of both have shorter wires than males, though overall patterns remain consistent between sexes. Juveniles exhibit duller plumage compared to adults, featuring a brownish crown, back, and tail instead of the glossy blue and rufous-chestnut tones, along with shorter, non-filamentous tail feathers lacking the elongated wires. Wire-tailed swallows undergo molting, during which tail streamers may be absent as feathers are replaced, contributing to the maintenance of aerodynamic plumage for efficient flight; this process typically follows the breeding season in related Hirundo species, though specific timing for H. smithii varies with local populations.

Distribution and habitat

Geographic range

The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) exhibits a disjunct distribution across and southern Asia, with two recognized occupying these regions. The nominate H. s. smithii is widespread in , ranging from and southern eastward through , , , and , and southward to , , and northeastern . This is generally absent from dense equatorial forests but occurs across a broad array of open landscapes in these areas. In Asia, the subspecies H. s. filifera occupies southern Asia, including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and southwestern Nepal, extending into Southeast Asia through Myanmar, northern Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and central Vietnam. Northern populations of this subspecies, found in southern Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, and northwestern India, are partial migrants that breed in these areas and winter farther south within the Indian subcontinent. Southern populations remain largely resident year-round. Overall, the wire-tailed swallow is resident in most of its range, with limited intra-African movements in central and and intra-Asian shifts primarily in the northern parts of the Asian distribution; there is no evidence of transcontinental migration.

Habitat preferences

The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) primarily inhabits open landscapes such as grasslands, dry savannas, and agricultural fields, with a strong preference for areas adjacent to bodies including permanent rivers, streams, freshwater lakes, and inland wetlands. It also occupies open woodlands, clearings, and scrublands, favoring environments with short and minimal cover. This species shows a notable association with human-modified environments, commonly occurring around villages, towns, rural gardens, and such as canals, ditches, and , where it tolerates and even benefits from altered landscapes. It is typically found from to elevations of up to 2,700 m, primarily in low to middle altitudes. The wire-tailed swallow avoids dense forests, such as the central African rainforests and moist woodlands of the , as well as arid regions lacking water sources, restricting its presence to more open and mesic conditions. In terms of microhabitat, it frequents sites near water surfaces, including paddy fields and reedbeds, and adapts well to degraded former forest areas with accessible open ground.

Behavior

Foraging

The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) primarily feeds on aerial insects, with flies in the order Diptera comprising the bulk of its diet, often alongside beetles (Coleoptera), (Isoptera), bugs (Hemiptera), and moths (Lepidoptera), mayflies (Ephemeroptera), and such as wasps and . In agricultural settings, it targets various fly species, including horn flies, face flies, and horse flies that frequent , as well as beetles, leafhoppers, moths, grasshoppers, and . This insectivorous specialization underscores its adaptation to capturing small, flying prey in open habitats. The bird employs acrobatic mid-air maneuvers to catch during fast, agile flights, typically at low altitudes of 4–5 m, especially over water bodies but also across open ground or above tree canopies. It often pursues prey in pairs or small groups, sometimes associating with other and swifts, and occasionally perches on the ground to spot and seize disturbed by tractors or animals. These techniques enable efficient predation on evasive aerial targets near human-modified landscapes. By preying on pest species like flies and beetles in cultivated fields, the wire-tailed swallow serves as a natural biocontrol agent, helping to suppress insect populations that damage crops and livestock in agro-ecosystems.

Flight and sociality

The wire-tailed swallow exhibits fast and , characterized by agile maneuvers and shallow wingbeats that enable it to pursue efficiently over short distances. It is capable of brief hovering to capture prey and occasionally perches on the ground to feed, particularly when following large animals or tractors. Flight typically occurs low to the ground, often at heights of 4–5 m, predominantly over water bodies but also across open terrain and above vegetation. Socially, the wire-tailed swallow is typically observed solitarily or in pairs outside the breeding season, in small groups or associating loosely with other and swifts during feeding bouts. During breeding, individuals become territorial, aggressively defending sites against other hirundines, though nesting remains solitary with only occasional clustering of a few pairs. Vocalizations of the wire-tailed swallow are simple and functional, lacking complex songs. The twittering song consists of repeated phrases like “chirrickweet chirrickweet,” while contact calls include a sharp “chit-chit” in flight or at nests, and alarm calls such as “chichip chichip,” along with shorter notes like “twit,” “pwee,” and “che.” These serve primarily for maintaining contact within pairs or small groups.

Breeding

Nesting behavior

The wire-tailed swallow constructs a semi-circular or open-cup nest primarily from mud pellets, often mixed with dry grass or other plant fibers, and lines the interior with feathers, grasses, rootlets, and occasionally hairs or fine plant material. These nests are typically attached to vertical or near-vertical surfaces and measure approximately 9-10 cm in length with a base width of 5-6 cm, weighing around 170 g. In some cases, nests may incorporate small amounts of non-natural materials like plastic fragments, particularly in human-modified environments. Nest sites are selected on sheltered vertical surfaces, such as under , bridges, culverts, cliffs, or ceilings, usually positioned 0.3-15 m above the ground and often in proximity to water bodies like rivers, streams, or channels to facilitate collection. Preferred locations provide protection from predators and weather, with artificial structures like road bridges and water towers becoming increasingly common, especially in areas with high human activity. Nests are frequently reused in subsequent breeding seasons, with pairs repairing or adding to existing structures rather than building anew. Nests may be parasitized by house sparrows in some areas of . Both male and female wire-tailed swallows participate in nest construction, collecting wet mud pellets (typically 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter) from nearby sources using their beaks and applying 1000-1400 pellets per nest, often with as an . The process generally takes 5-7 days, though observations in some regions report up to 17-18 days for completion, progressing from the base to the rim and entrance. Unlike many colonial species, wire-tailed swallows are solitary nesters that vigorously defend the nest site against intruders. This adaptation has contributed to range expansion in urbanizing areas across the species' distribution.

Reproduction

The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) breeds year-round across its tropical range, with activity peaking during the to coincide with insect abundance. In , breeding occurs throughout the year but intensifies from March to July in many regions, such as January–May and July–December in or February–April in . On the , the season spans February to September, while in it extends from January to November. Pairs typically produce 2– annually, allowing multiple reproductive attempts within favorable conditions. Courtship involves males performing intricate aerial displays, including chases and synchronized flights, to attract females; the species' distinctive elongated wires likely enhance these displays by aiding maneuverability and visual signaling during pursuits. Breeding pairs are generally solitary and territorial, with males aggressively defending sites against other . Females lay clutches of 2–4 eggs in (typically 3) and 3–5 in , with eggs described as pale white bearing brown or dark spots and measuring approximately 18.4 × 13.1 mm on average. Incubation, lasting 13–19 days (most often 14–15), is primarily handled by the female, who covers the eggs for 43–66% of the day. The altricial chicks are fed by both parents, receiving up to 16 meals per hour, with the female providing more food to older nestlings. The young after 15–24 days (usually 18–21) and may return to the nest for roosting several days post-fledging, sometimes until the next brood begins.

Conservation status

The global of the wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) remains unquantified, though the is generally described as common to locally abundant across its range in and southern . The overall population trend is increasing, driven by historical range expansions over the past century. Regionally, the wire-tailed swallow exhibits stability with localized increases, particularly in human-modified landscapes. In , it is uncommon in western regions but common and widespread in eastern and southern areas, with documented extensions into parts of , , and . In , populations are common to uncommon across the and scarce to uncommon in , benefiting from agricultural expansion that provides open foraging habitats and nesting opportunities on structures like bridges and buildings. No significant declines have been recorded in either continent. Monitoring efforts include periodic assessments, with the species classified as Least Concern in 2024, indicating low extinction risk. Additional tracking occurs via platforms such as eBird and regional atlases, which contribute to understanding distribution and abundance patterns, though no dedicated systematic monitoring scheme exists. Quantitative decline metrics are unavailable due to the lack of comprehensive baseline data.

Threats and protection

The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) is classified as Least Concern on the , based on its extremely large range spanning over 54 million km² across , southern Asia, and parts of the , with no evidence of significant population declines. This assessment, last updated in 2024, reflects the species' adaptability to human-modified landscapes and an overall increasing population trend. No major threats have been identified. Conservation efforts for the wire-tailed swallow are integrated into broader wildlife protections rather than species-specific initiatives, given its stable status and wide distribution. In , it is listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act of , affording it legal safeguards against hunting and trade. Across its African range, the species benefits from man-made structures for nesting. Its opportunistic use of such structures further enhances resilience without requiring targeted recovery programs. However, ongoing monitoring is recommended to address potential future pressures, as current assessments lack detailed data on .
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