Swallow

A colorful, medium-sized swallow with a distinctive long, forked tail and dark rump. Sporting an iridescent navy-blue upper body, a vibrant orange throat, and forehead, its underparts range from buffy-orange to whitish. Found in open areas like fields and wetlands, often seen in flocks, occasionally mingling with other swallows. Prefers nesting near human dwellings, constructing cup nests of mud in barns or under docks. Recognize it by its scratchy “svit svit” calls and distinct head, breast patterns, and tail length to distinguish from similar species across Africa, Asia, and Australia (e.g., Welcome Swallow, Angolan Swallow, Pacific Swallow).