Greater Striped Swallow

Cecropis cucullata (Boddaert, 1783)

Greater Striped Swallow, Cecropis cucullata, is a swallow of southern Africa, breeding from Angola and Namibia through Zimbabwe to southern South Africa, and moving north to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania outside the breeding season. It is a member of the swallow family and was named by Boddaert in 1783. The bird is recognised by its dark blue upperparts, pale orange rump, chestnut head pattern, creamy white underparts with dark streaking, and blackish tail with very long outer feathers. It is a large swallow and is one of nine species in Cecropis.

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Hirundinidae — Swallows, Martins

Breeding range

Africa: Angola and Namibia to Zimbabwe and s to s South Africa

Nonbreeding range

to c DR Congo and Tanzania