Psalidoprocne albiceps
The White-headed Saw-wing (Psalidoprocne albiceps) is an elegant and distinctive member of the swallow family (Hirundinidae), immediately recognizable by its stark white head contrasting sharply with its glossy, iridescent blue-black body. This slender avian acrobat measures approximately 13-15 cm (5.1-5.9 inches) in length and possesses a deeply forked tail, characteristic of many swallows, which aids in its agile aerial pursuits. Its primary field mark is undeniably the pure white cap that ...
Prefers open woodlands, forest edges, savannas, and cultivated areas, often near water bodies. Typically found at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 meters.
Exclusively insectivorous, primarily preying on small flying insects such as midges, ants, beetles, and termites, captured with impressive agility during sustained aerial pursuit.
A quintessential aerial insectivore, the White-headed Saw-wing is a diurnal species that spends most of its waking hours in graceful, acrobatic flight, tirelessly hawking for insects. Its flight is characterized by erratic twists, turns, and wide circles over clearings, water, or forest canopies....
The White-headed Saw-wing is an intra-African migrant with a somewhat disjunct distribution across central and eastern Africa. Its primary breeding range extends from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, southern Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, western Kenya, and northern Tanzania, south through...
Least Concern
- The 'Saw-wing' epithet refers to the subtle serrations on the outer primary feathers of birds in the genus *Psalidoprocne*, a feature thought to potentially create a unique sound in flight or enhance maneuverability. - Its bright white head is a unique identifying feature among all African swal...