Order) Passeriformes
Family) Hirundinidae
Species) Native Bird
Conservation Status) Not Threatened
Length) 14 – 16 cm
Weight) 9-20 g
Other Names) house swallow
Threats) Habitat loss
Identification
Welcome swallows are small fast-flying birds, they are usually seen around Waiheke during breeding season between August and February on powerlines, fences and beaches.
Welcome swallows are small, elegant birds with blunt heads, a deeply-forked tail and long pointed wings. Adults have rufous on the forehead, neck and breast and to a lesser degree (and paler) on the flanks. The bill is short, broad and black, and they have a black eye stripe. The back and upperwings are blue-black. The tail is dark with white spots towards the ends of the feathers that form a row of dots when the tail is spread in flight. The under parts are pale buff. The sexes differ only in that the females’ tail streamers are slightly shorter and the tail spots smaller. Juveniles are also similar but have darker heads and an overall duller colouring.
Their flight is circular and darting in style, and they may be seen singly, in pairs or in flocks. Flocks often perch in masse, lined up on fences or power lines. They were named ‘welcome swallows’ because they appeared in southern Australia as a herald of spring.
Their sounds is fantail-like twittering, chattering and chirrups. Calls are generally quiet and do not carry far.
Swallows are most often seen close to wetlands or the coast. In colder areas they may migrate seasonally, and flocks travel long distances to reach good food sources.
Welcome swallows are gregarious. They often nest as pairs, but other birds may help with caring for the young. When not breeding they roost together in large numbers under bridges or in raupo swamps and they will mob predatory birds.
Breeding
Welcome Swallows can raise three broods between August and February.
They build distinctive cup-shaped nests on ledges or attached to vertical supports usually on manmade structures such as houses, bridges and culverts, out of direct sunlight. Ive even seen nests in caves on quiet beaches and underground carparks on waiheke.
Mud and grasses are used to build the nest from the base upwards and then it is lined with fine grasses and feathers.
The 3-5 pinkish eggs with brown speckles are laid at 24-48 hour intervals and incubated by the female for 15 days. The nestlings are fed by both parents and fledge at 18 days old. Nestling wings grow at a constant rate regardless of fluctuations in food supply. Nests take 6-24 days to build, and are often re-used within and between breeding seasons.
Food
small invertebrates
They occasionally perch on plants to take insects or sweep them up from the water. Swallows often drink while flying, scooping water from the surface of a lake or pond.
Waiheke Locations
Rock Caves – ive spotted a nest while fishing once – usually you see the swallow darting around follow its movements from a far and watch were it goes.
Powerlines – Ive spotted them on many powerlines around waiheke, i was even fortunate enough to have swallows breed near my house one year so they landed on my clothes line.
Fences – They like to perch in non busy areas. farm areas.
Underground carparks – Ive spotted a nest under copy expresso quite often in the Main Oneroa Carpark.
Beaches– Usually found on quiet beaches, either sitting on the sand, darting around or perches on driftwood.
Welcomes Swallows are flying birds so they can really be anywhere on Waiheke but not just Waiheke they are all over New Zealand, these are just areas I’ve spotted them and photographed.
Gallery
