Lesser Striped Swallow Bird Facts (Cecropis abyssinica)

The Lesser Striped Swallow is a small, striking bird with a distinctive appearance. It has a rufous-chestnut head and nape, with a glossy deep blue back. The wings and tail are blackish-brown, with the tail featuring long outer streamers. The underparts are white with dark streaks, most prominent on the throat and upper breast.

Both sexes look similar, though females have shorter tails. Juveniles show duller colouring overall, with a darker crown and paler rump.

The Lesser Striped Swallow can be found in Woodland habitats.

The Lesser Striped Swallow is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Lesser Striped Swallow is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

The Lesser Striped Swallow is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Lesser Striped Swallow can be found in Urban habitats.

The Lesser Striped Swallow is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Lesser Striped Swallow is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Lesser Striped Swallow is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Lesser Striped Swallow is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Lesser Striped Swallow is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Lesser Striped Swallow is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Lesser Striped Swallow can be found in Savanna habitats.

Lesser Striped Swallows are widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. They inhabit open woodland, savannah, and grassland areas, often near water bodies.

These swallows have adapted well to human-modified landscapes, frequently nesting on buildings in urban and rural areas. Some populations in southern Africa undertake seasonal movements, while others are more sedentary.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Lesser Striped Swallow. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Lesotho

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Chad Gambia Madagascar Oman Sao Tome and Principe

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Exceptional aerial agility demonstrated through acrobatic mid-air insect catching, swift manoeuvres, and ability to drink and bathe whilst flying. Their deeply forked tail and pointed wings enable remarkable precision in flight.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst capable of carrying mud pellets for nest building and catching insects, their small size (15-25g) limits overall strength. Adequate for their lifestyle but not particularly powerful compared to other birds.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Highly adaptable species thriving across various habitats from sea level to 2,000m, successfully colonising urban environments, and showing flexibility in nesting locations. Their ability to form mixed-species flocks and adjust to human-modified landscapes demonstrates strong adaptability.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Generally peaceful and social, forming cooperative breeding colonies. Shows little territorial aggression beyond normal nest defence. Primarily focuses on communal feeding and breeding activities.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Strong endurance evidenced by their continuous aerial foraging, partial migration capabilities, and ability to maintain sustained flight whilst hunting. Their relatively small size requires efficient energy management for these demanding activities.

Lesser Striped Swallows are insectivores, primarily feeding on flying insects caught in mid-air. Their diet includes flies, beetles, and flying ants.

They often feed in groups, swooping and gliding to catch prey, and may follow large animals or farm machinery to catch disturbed insects.

Lesser Striped Swallows are highly social birds, often seen in large flocks during non-breeding seasons. They are aerial insectivores, skilfully catching insects mid-flight with acrobatic manoeuvres.

These swallows frequently perch on wires or branches, especially when gathering nesting material or resting.

The Lesser Striped Swallow has a soft, musical voice. Its call is a gentle, twittering 'tswee-tswee' or 'trit-trit', often given in flight.

During the breeding season, males may produce a more elaborate warbling song, typically delivered from a perch.

Breeding typically occurs during the rainy season when insects are abundant. Lesser Striped Swallows form monogamous pairs and often breed in loose colonies.

Nests are constructed from mud pellets mixed with grass, forming a closed cup with a tubular entrance. These are usually attached to vertical surfaces under eaves or bridges.

Females lay 2-4 white eggs with brown speckles. Both parents incubate the eggs for about 14-16 days and care for the chicks, which fledge after approximately 20-23 days.

The Lesser Striped Swallow typically lives for 2 to 4 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

The Lesser Striped Swallow is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its adaptability to human-modified environments has helped maintain stable populations.

However, like many aerial insectivores, it may face challenges from pesticide use and climate change affecting insect abundance.

Look for them near open areas with nearby structures for nesting
Observe their distinctive flight pattern: swift and graceful with quick turns
Listen for their soft, twittering calls, especially when in flight
Check eaves of buildings or bridges for their mud nests

Main predators include birds of prey such as falcons and hawks, as well as domestic cats in urban areas. Snakes and small mammals may also raid nests for eggs or chicks.

Lesser Striped Swallows can drink and bathe on the wing, skimming the water's surface.
They often return to the same nesting site year after year, repairing and reusing old nests.
These swallows sometimes form mixed flocks with other swallow species during migration or feeding.

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