Angola swallow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Angola swallow |
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| At Munhango, Angola | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hirundo
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| Species: |
angolensis
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The Angola swallow (Hirundo angolensis) is a type of swallow bird. It lives in Africa, mostly in the central and southern parts. This bird is known for its pretty colors and how it catches insects while flying.
Contents
What Does the Angola Swallow Look Like?
The Angola swallow is about 15 centimeters (6 inches) long. It weighs between 16 and 19 grams. That's about as much as a few coins! Its forehead, throat, and upper chest are a deep reddish-brown color. The top of its head and back are a shiny steel-blue. Its wing and tail feathers are black. The tail feathers have big white spots, which look like "windows" when the bird flies.
How Do Angola Swallows Live?
Angola swallows like to live in open areas. You can find them near forests, in natural spaces, or even in places changed by people. They eat many different kinds of flying insects. They catch these insects while flying through the air. These birds might hunt for food alone or in groups. They make a soft, chirping sound, like a weak twitter. The time of year they lay eggs and how many there are depends on where they live. Some Angola swallows also travel to different places during certain seasons.
Where Do Angola Swallows Live?
You can find the Angola swallow in several African countries. These include Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
How Is the Angola Swallow Related to Other Birds?
The Angola swallow is part of a group of swallows. Scientists once thought it was the same as the Red-chested swallow. However, it is now seen as its own unique species. It is related to other well-known swallows. These include the Barn swallow, Red-chested swallow, Pacific swallow, Welcome swallow, White-throated swallow, and Ethiopian swallow.
Types of Angola Swallows
There are two main types, or subspecies, of the Angola swallow. Sometimes, you can find birds that are a mix of both types.
- H. a. angolensis – This type was first found in Huíla Province, Angola.
- H. a. arcticincta Sharpe, 1891 – This type lives in East Africa.
Gallery
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This is the main type of Angola swallow, from an old drawing by R. B. Sharpe (1894).
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This picture shows the arcticincta type. Notice its tail is more deeply forked, and its belly feathers are lighter.
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An egg of the Angola swallow.
