Bird of the Week – Wiretailed swallow
The bird's Zulu name is inkonjane and in Afrikaans, die draadstertswael.
THE wiretailed swallow is a common resident to most of Africa south of the Sahara, but is confined in South Africa to the eastern KZN, the Mpumalanga Lowveld and Limpopo Province.
It is found solitary or in pairs, and sometimes in loose groups while feeding.
They forage over water, grassland and cultivated fields. The flight is quick and agile, alternating rapid wingbeats with swoops and glides. Wiretailed swallows may roost in buildings or reedbeds. Perching on bridges, railings and parapets, these swallows like to feed on small aerial arthropods.
They are usually silent but have a double ‘chirp, cheche’ twittering song which is repeated every two seconds from their perch near the nest.
LISTEN:
https://youtu.be/Z3-EtM148ag
The breeding season is during all months. The nest is a half cup of mixed grasses and mud pellets, lined with fine grass and feathers.
They lay three white eggs speckled with reddish brown. Incubation is 14 to 18 days and nestlings remain for 15 to 22 days. Fledglings return to the nest for several days after their initial departure.
The bird’s Zulu name is inkonjane and in Afrikaans, die draadstertswael.
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