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 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Illustration by R. B. Sharpe (1894) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauria |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Hirundinidae |
| Genus: | Cecropis |
| Species: | C. hyperythra |
| Binomial name | |
| Cecropis hyperythra (Blyth, 1849) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
Cecropis 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 rufous 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
It is 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
- BirdLife International (2017). "Cecropis hyperythra". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T103812653A112878901. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T103812653A112878901.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- "Cecropis hyperythra". Avibase.
- "Sri Lanka Swallow - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2020-07-29.