Native to Australia and nearby islands, and New Zealand, which has been colonised in the last half century. Similar to the Pacific Swallow. Metallic blue-black above, light grey below on the breast and belly, and rusty on the forehead, throat and upper breast. Long forked tail. This individual was nearby a nest at The Gap Village. The call is a mixture of twittering and soft warbling notes, and a sharp whistle in alarm. Welcome Swallows readily breed close to human habitation. The nest is an open cup of mud and grass, made by both sexes, and is attached to a suitable structure, such as a vertical rock wall or building.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Welcome Swallow
Extremely agile fliers, feed on insects while in flight. They often fly fast and low to the ground on open fields in large circles or figure 8 patterns. They will often swoop around animals or people in the open. Source: Wikipedia
Photo: Robert Whyte
