Photo: opisska / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Ethiopian Swallow
Hirundo aethiopica
Ethiopian Swallow (Hirundo aethiopica) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Ethiopian Swallow (Hirundo aethiopica) is a member of the Hirundinidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 13.3 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Hirundinidae Swallows, Martins
- Genus Hirundo
- Species aethiopica
Quick facts
- Weight
- 13.3 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Hirundinidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Ethiopian Swallow is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Ethiopian Swallow is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Ethiopian Swallow (Hirundo aethiopica) is a species of bird in the Hirundinidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF ne, c.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 13.3 g, with a wing length of about 10.5 cm and a tail of around 6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 4.8 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Ethiopian Swallow?
The Ethiopian Swallow is a very small bird that weighs around 13.3 g.
Where does the Ethiopian Swallow live?
The Ethiopian Swallow is found across Africa with a range covering AF ne, c, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Ethiopian Swallow belong to?
The Ethiopian Swallow (Hirundo aethiopica) belongs to the Hirundinidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Ethiopian Swallow eat?
The Ethiopian Swallow is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Ethiopian Swallow migrate?
The Ethiopian Swallow is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Ethiopian Swallow endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Ethiopian Swallow make?
1 real field recording of the Ethiopian Swallow — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Ethiopian Swallow's range?
The Ethiopian Swallow has a mapped global range of about 4.8 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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