Hirundo nigrita
The White-bibbed Swallow (Hirundo nigrita) is a striking, small passerine, measuring approximately 13 cm (5.1 in) in length. Its plumage is predominantly a glossy, iridescent blue-black, contrasting sharply with a pristine white belly and, most distinctively, a broad white breast band or 'bib' that gives the species its common name. This prominent white bib, combined with its deeply forked tail, serves as a key field mark for identification, especially when observed soaring over forest rivers...
This species primarily inhabits lowland tropical rainforests, typically found near rivers, streams, and forest clearings, and often utilizes human-made structures like bridges and culverts for nesting. It favors riparian zones up to an elevation of about 1000 meters (3,300 feet).
The diet of the White-bibbed Swallow consists almost exclusively of small, flying insects, primarily flies (Diptera) and other aerial arthropods, which it captures in continuous, acrobatic flight over water or in forest clearings.
The White-bibbed Swallow is a diurnal aerial insectivore, typically observed hawking for prey in swift, graceful flight low over water bodies or along forest edges. While generally seen singly or in pairs, they may form small, loose foraging groups, and sometimes congregate in larger numbers at c...
The White-bibbed Swallow is a resident species found across tropical West and Central Africa. Its range is somewhat disjunct, comprising two main populations. The western subspecies, *Hirundo nigrita nigrita*, extends from Sierra Leone eastward through Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, ...
Least Concern
- The 'bib' in White-bibbed Swallow refers to its distinctive white breast band, a unique field mark among African *Hirundo* species. - Unlike many swallow species, it is a non-migratory resident throughout its tropical African range. - It often utilizes human-built structures like bridges, culve...