Lesser Striped Swallow

Cecropis abyssinica

A master of aerial acrobatics, this small swallow swoops and glides through African skies in flocks, snatching insects with pinpoint precision.

Share this bird:

Visual Identification

Appearance

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.

Size

Length

15cm to 19cm

Wingspan

28cm to 30cm

Weight

15g to 25g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Blue White Rufous

Secondary Colour

Brown

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Lesser Striped Swallow can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

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

Wetland

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

Coastal

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

Urban

The Lesser Striped Swallow can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

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

Grassland

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

Desert

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

Tundra

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

Rainforest

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

Mountain

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

Savanna

The Lesser Striped Swallow can be found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

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.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

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