Hirundo domicola
The Hill Swallow (Hirundo domicola) is a charismatic and agile passerine bird, closely related to the well-known Barn Swallow, yet distinct in its preference for rugged, hilly terrain. Measuring approximately 16-18 cm in length, with a wingspan of 30-34 cm and weighing 18-25 grams, its sleek, iridescent blue-black upperparts contrast sharply with a warm rufous throat and breast, fading to a paler buff on the belly. A key field mark is its moderately forked tail, shorter than that of a Barn Sw...
Found primarily in open, hilly, and mountainous regions, often adjacent to agricultural fields, open woodlands, or scrubland, at elevations ranging from 500 to 2,500 meters.
Exclusively insectivorous, feeding primarily on a variety of flying insects including flies, beetles, moths, and winged ants, caught on the wing through aerial hawking.
The Hill Swallow is a highly diurnal and social bird, often foraging in loose flocks and roosting communally in large numbers in caves, under bridges, or in dense vegetation. Foraging occurs predominantly through agile aerial hawking, where birds skillfully pursue flying insects in wide, sweeping...
The Hill Swallow (Hirundo domicola) is broadly distributed across the subtropical and tropical hilly regions of Southeast Asia. Its primary breeding range extends from the lower slopes of the Himalayas in Nepal and Bhutan, eastward through northeastern India, northern Myanmar, southern China (Yun...
Least Concern
- The Hill Swallow is renowned for its ability to nest at surprisingly high altitudes, with some nests recorded above 3,000 meters in the Himalayas. - Unlike many swallows, it often incorporates plant fibers from high-altitude grasses into its mud nests, adding extra insulation for cooler mountai...