South African Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon spilodera (Sundevall, 1850)

South African Cliff Swallow, Petrochelidon spilodera, is a bird of southern Africa in the swallow family. It breeds in Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa, and moves north to southern Congo and central DR Congo outside the breeding season. It is also known as the South African swallow. Its nests are commonly made from mud beneath man-made structures such as huts and bridges. It has been linked with the claim that it can carry coconuts, but that idea has little credibility beyond fiction.

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Hirundinidae — Swallows, Martins

Breeding range

Africa: Namibia; Zimbabwe; se Botswana to South Africa

Nonbreeding range

to s Congo and c DR Congo