Photo: Peter Wilton / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-tailed Swallow
Hirundo megaensis
White-tailed Swallow (Hirundo megaensis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The White-tailed Swallow (Hirundo megaensis) is a member of the Hirundinidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 11 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Hirundinidae Swallows, Martins
- Genus Hirundo
- Species megaensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 11 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Hirundinidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-tailed Swallow is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open scrub and shrubland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The White-tailed Swallow is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-tailed Swallow (Hirundo megaensis) is a member of the Hirundinidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF montane sc Ethiopia.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 11 g, with a wing length of about 10.2 cm and a tail of around 5.4 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 15,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-tailed Swallow?
The White-tailed Swallow is a very small bird that weighs around 11 g.
Where does the White-tailed Swallow live?
The White-tailed Swallow is found across Africa with a range covering AF montane sc Ethiopia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the White-tailed Swallow belong to?
The White-tailed Swallow (Hirundo megaensis) belongs to the Hirundinidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the White-tailed Swallow eat?
The White-tailed Swallow is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the White-tailed Swallow migrate?
The White-tailed Swallow is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-tailed Swallow endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
How large is the White-tailed Swallow's range?
The White-tailed Swallow has a mapped global range of about 15,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Hirundinidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.