Forest swallow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Forest swallow |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Atronanus
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| Species: |
fuliginosus
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| Synonyms | |
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Petrochelidon fuliginosa |
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The forest swallow (Atronanus fuliginosus) is a little-known type of swallow. It belongs to the Hirundinidae family, which includes all swallows and martins. You can find this bird in parts of Central Africa, including Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria.
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Meet the Forest Swallow
The forest swallow is a small bird. It is not seen very often, which is why scientists call it "little-known." Like other swallows, it is likely a fast flyer. Swallows are known for catching insects in the air.
Where Does it Live?
This special bird lives in the forests of central Africa. Its home countries are Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria. These areas have thick forests where the swallow can find food and build its nest.
A Unique Bird: Why Scientists Gave it a New Name
For a long time, scientists thought the forest swallow belonged to a group of swallows called Petrochelidon. These are often called 'mud-nester' swallows. However, some things about the forest swallow did not quite fit with this group.
Scientists looked closely at its feathers and body shape. They also studied how it built its nest. These features seemed different from other Petrochelidon swallows.
Uncovering its True Identity
In 2018, a group of scientists led by De Silva used new methods. They studied the bird's DNA. This helped them understand its family tree better. Their research showed that the forest swallow was indeed related to the 'mud-nester' swallows. But it was different enough to be in its own unique group.
Because of these findings, the scientists decided to give the forest swallow its own new genus. A genus is a scientific group that is wider than a species. They named this new genus Atronanus. So now, the forest swallow is the only species in the Atronanus genus. This means it is truly one of a kind!
