Sri Lanka swallow

The Sri Lanka swallow (Cecropis hyperythra) is a resident breeder endemic to Sri Lanka. It is closely related to the red-rumped swallow, and was formerly considered a subspecies.

Sri Lanka swallow
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Genus: Cecropis
Species:
C. hyperythra
Binomial name
Cecropis hyperythra
(Blyth, 1849)
Synonyms[2]

Cecropis daurica hyperythra
Hirundo daurica hyperythra

Description

It is a large swallow with a tail which forks deeply, and the combination of deep rufous underside and navy blue rump without any marks is a unique feature of this species. Its roufous underside can be used to tell it apart from the red-rumped swallow. It is a passerine, which means it has three toes pointing forward and one pointing backward, allowing it to perch.[3]

Habitat

Found in a variety of open country habitats in both the lowlands and foothills in Sri Lanka, including farm fields and lightly wooded areas.[3]

Behaviour

It usually lives in pairs or small groups.[3]

References
  • Rasmussen, P.C., and J.C. Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia. The Ripley guide. Volume 2: attributes and status. Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions, Washington D.C. and Barcelona
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Cecropis hyperythra". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. "Cecropis hyperythra". Avibase.
  3. "Sri Lanka Swallow - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
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