The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Lesser Striped Swallow
Afrikaans name: Kleinstreepswael
Lesser Striped Swallow
Photo © Steven Herbert
Hirundo abyssinica
During spring and summer the Lesser Striped Swallow is a common sight along the eastern regions of South Africa.
They are smaller and more brightly coloured than the similar Greater Striped Swallow.
Lesser Striped Swallows are found in open areas such as grasslands, parks, gardens, farmlands as well as along forest margins.
Most of its prey are insects which are caught in flight. It will however take some food items on the ground with caterpillars being a favourite. They will occasionally eat fruit and seeds.
The swallows have certainly taken to building their mud nests on man-made structures. These could be houses, bridges or culverts. The main requirement is that there is an overhang. They do also breed under rock overhangs or even in cavities in trees. 3 eggs are normally laid. The interesting thing about their nesting behaviour is that the pair will often return to the same nest year after year.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 503 | Cecropis abyssinica unitatis |
| 2nd | 503 | Cecropis abyssinica |
| 3rd | 503 | Cecropis abyssinica |
| 4th | 503 | Cecropis abyssinica |
| 5th | 527 | Hirundo abyssinica |
| 6th | 527 | Hirundo abyssinica |
| 7th | 604 | Cecropis abyssinica |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 503 | Lesser Striped Swallow |
| 2nd | 503 | Lesser Striped Swallow |
| 3rd | 503 | Lesser Striped Swallow |
| 4th | 503 | Lesser Striped Swallow |
| 5th | 527 | Lesser Striped Swallow |
| 6th | 527 | Lesser Striped Swallow |
| 7th | 604 | Lesser Striped Swallow |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 503 | Klein-streep-bors-swawel |
| 2nd | 503 | Klein Streepswawel |
| 3rd | 503 | Klein Streepswael |
| 4th | 503 | Klein Streepswael |
| 5th | 527 | Kleinstreepswael |
| 6th | 527 | Kleinstreepswael |
| 7th | 604 | Kleinstreepswael |
References and further reading
Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 43Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 140
The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 55
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 296
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 72
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 208
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 282
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 456
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 462
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 355
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 344
Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 46
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 268
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 236
Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 62
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 228
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 228
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 411
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 206
Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 85
Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 50
Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 115
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 183
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 142
Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 56
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 52
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 173
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 84
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 152
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 114
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 85
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 100
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 188
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 85
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 206
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