Photo: Alan Manson / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
South African Cliff Swallow
Petrochelidon spilodera
South African Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon spilodera) — 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 South African Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon spilodera) is a member of the Hirundinidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 20.6 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 Petrochelidon
- Species spilodera
Quick facts
- Weight
- 20.6 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Hirundinidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The South African Cliff 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 South African Cliff Swallow is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The South African Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon spilodera) is a member of the Hirundinidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Namibia; Zimbabwe; se Botswana to South Africa.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 20.6 g, with a wing length of about 11.1 cm and a tail of around 6.1 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 625,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the South African Cliff Swallow?
The South African Cliff Swallow is a small bird that weighs around 20.6 g.
Where does the South African Cliff Swallow live?
The South African Cliff Swallow is found across Africa with a range covering AF Namibia; Zimbabwe; se Botswana to South Africa, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the South African Cliff Swallow belong to?
The South African Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon spilodera) belongs to the Hirundinidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the South African Cliff Swallow eat?
The South African Cliff Swallow is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the South African Cliff Swallow migrate?
The South African Cliff Swallow is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the South African Cliff 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 South African Cliff Swallow make?
1 real field recording of the South African Cliff 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 South African Cliff Swallow's range?
The South African Cliff Swallow has a mapped global range of about 625,000 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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