South African cliff swallow

The South African cliff swallow (Petrochelidon spilodera), also known as the South African swallow, is a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae native to central−western and southern Africa.

South African cliff swallow
In flight, at Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Gauteng, South Africa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Genus: Petrochelidon
Species:
P. spilodera
Binomial name
Petrochelidon spilodera
(Sundevall, 1850)
Synonyms
  • Hirundo spilodera

It is found in Botswana, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Nests are commonly built from mud under artificial structures such as huts and bridges.[2] It is well known for its supposed ability to carry coconuts, although this claim has little to no credibility outside of the Monty Python fictional universe.[3]

  • Nests of the South African swallow under a highway bridge
    Nests of the South African swallow under a highway bridge
  • Petrochelidon spilodera - MHNT
    Petrochelidon spilodera - MHNT

References
  1. BirdLife International (2017). "Petrochelidon spilodera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22712412A118750418. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22712412A118750418.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. "Hirundo spilodera (South African cliff-swallow)". Biodiversity Explorer. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  3. "Unladen Swallows". Interesting Engineering. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
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