The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Red-breasted Swallow
Afrikaans name: Rooiborsswael
Above - Red-breasted Swallow collecting mud for its nest
Photo © Steven Herbert
Hirundo semirufa / Cecropis semirufa
The Red-breasted Swallow is a large swallow. It reaches a length of around 24 cm with a wingspan of 27 cm.
These birds are summer visitors to our area. During the months of July to March they may be found in South Africa. They prefer areas of grassland, bushveld and thornveld. Their main requirement being nesting sites such as large burrows, culverts or holes in banks.
They spend most of their time on the wing where they catch insects in flight for food.
Red-breasted Swallows are normally seen singly or in pairs. Towards the end of the breeding season they may be found in small flocks which are normally family groups.
As mentioned above they need access to suitable structures for nesting sites. These could be large burrows or termite mounds or man-made structures such as culverts. Holes in earth banks are also suitable. Both male and female work on the nest and it can take up to 3 weeks before it is ready for egg-laying. 3 eggs is the normal clutch. The female incubates the eggs although the male joins her in the nest at night. Both sexes feed the chicks.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 501 | Phoenichelidon semirufa semirufa |
| 2nd | 501 | Cecropis semirufa |
| 3rd | 501 | Cecropis semirufa |
| 4th | 501 | Cecropis semirufa |
| 5th | 524 | Hirundo semirufa |
| 6th | 524 | Hirundo semirufa |
| 7th | 605 | Cecropis semirufa |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 501 | Red-breasted Swallow |
| 2nd | 501 | Red-breasted Swallow |
| 3rd | 501 | Red-breasted Swallow |
| 4th | 501 | Red-breasted Swallow |
| 5th | 524 | Redbreasted Swallow |
| 6th | 524 | Redbreasted Swallow |
| 7th | 605 | Red-breasted Swallow |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 501 | Rooibors-swawel |
| 2nd | 501 | Rooibors-swawel |
| 3rd | 501 | Rooibors-swael |
| 4th | 501 | Rooibors-swael |
| 5th | 524 | Rooiborsswael |
| 6th | 524 | Rooiborsswael |
| 7th | 605 | Rooiborsswael |
References and further reading
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 73The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 208
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
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: 453
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 459
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 354
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 343
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
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 265
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 236
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 411
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 142
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 206
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 172
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 52
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 187
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
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 203
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 85
This website features affiliate links, meaning we’ll earn a small commission if you purchase through these links.
Copyright Steven Herbert Projects, 2013 - 2024. All rights reserved.