Greater Striped Swallow
A species of Cecropis Scientific name : Cecropis cucullata Genus : Cecropis
Greater Striped Swallow, A species of Cecropis
Botanical name: Cecropis cucullata
Genus: Cecropis
Content
Description General Info
Description
The greater striped swallow is 18–20 cm (7.1–7.9 in) long. It has dark blue upperparts with a pale orange rump and a chestnut crown, nape and sides of the head. The underparts and underwing coverts are creamy white with dark streaking, and the upper wings and underwing flight feathers are blackish-brown. The blackish tail has very long outer feathers; these are slightly longer in the male than the female. Juveniles are duller and browner, with less contrast and shorter outer tail feathers. The flight is slow and buoyant, and the call is a twittering chissick. This species can be distinguished from the smaller lesser striped swallow, Hirundo abyssinica, in that the latter species has heavier and darker underparts striping, a deeper red rump, and rufous rather than buffy ear coverts. The lesser striped swallow also prefers less open habitats. 
Size
20 cm
Habitat
Greater Striped Swallow typically resides in semi-arid to open grassland habitats, which include montane regions at elevations above 2,000 meters. These birds prefer areas that are sparsely wooded or completely devoid of trees, such as the karoo and areas close to water sources. They are also adaptable to cultivated lands and environments influenced by human settlement. Broader geographic regions of their habitat encompass parts of southern Africa, with some populations migrating to more northern areas during the winter.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Behavior
The greater striped swallow is common, unafraid of humans, and has benefited from the availability of nest sites around habitation. It feeds mainly on flying insects, but has been known to eat small fruits. It is a bird of dry open country, such as grassland, and has a preference for hills and mountains. It avoids more wooded areas, but is often found around human habitation.
Distribution Area
It breeds in southern Africa, mainly in South Africa, Namibia and southern Zimbabwe. It is migratory wintering further north in Angola, Tanzania and southern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Swallows Genus
Cecropis Species
Greater Striped Swallow 
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