Welcome Swallow

These fast and agile birds are a familiar sight around wetlands, farmland, open country and urban areas. I often see them darting through the air in pursuit of insects, making rapid turns and changes of direction as they feed. They can also be seen skimming the surface of water, where they drink while in flight. These two swallows were resting on a stick in front of me, with one taking flight, which I captured in this photo. 

Physical Appearance

The Welcome Swallow is a small bird, measuring around 15 cm long. Adults have metallic blue-black upperparts, light grey underparts and distinctive rusty colouring on the forehead, throat and upper breast. Their long, deeply forked tail has white spots on the individual feathers. Females have slightly shorter tail streamers, while young birds are duller, with buffy-white colouring on the forehead and throat and shorter tail streamers.

Habitat

Welcome Swallows are found across a remarkably wide range of habitats throughout Australia, including wetlands, grasslands, woodlands, farmland, coastal areas and urban environments. They are less common in heavily forested regions and the drier inland areas. They are also partially migratory, moving around in response to food availability.

Behaviour

Aerial hunters: Welcome Swallows feed mainly on flying insects, which they catch in mid-air using their highly agile flight. They can perform rapid manoeuvres while chasing prey and often feed in large flocks when insects are abundant.
Drinking in flight: These skilful fliers can skim the surface of lakes, ponds and rivers to drink while remaining in flight. They may also take insects from the surface of the water.
Adaptable birds: Welcome Swallows readily live alongside people and are frequently seen around buildings, bridges, sheds and other structures. Their ability to use man-made structures for nesting has helped them thrive in many modified environments.
Social birds: When food is plentiful, Welcome Swallows can gather in large flocks. They are often seen flying together over open areas and waterways while searching for insects.

Breeding

Nesting: Welcome Swallows build an open cup-shaped nest from mud and grass, which is lined with feathers and fur. Both the male and female help construct the nest, attaching it to structures such as vertical rock walls, buildings and bridges. They readily nest close to human habitation.
Parental care: The female incubates the eggs, while both parents feed the chicks after they hatch. Welcome Swallows often raise two broods during a breeding season.
Breeding period: August to February.