Angolan swallow
The Angolan swallow (Hirundo angolensis) is a species of swallow that is native to the Afrotropics.
| Angolan swallow | |
|---|---|
|  | |
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| Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia | 
| Phylum: | Chordata | 
| Class: | Aves | 
| Order: | Passeriformes | 
| Family: | Hirundinidae | 
| Genus: | Hirundo | 
| Species: | H. angolensis | 
| Binomial name | |
| Hirundo angolensis Barboza du Bocage, 1868 | |
Description
    
They measure 15 cm and weigh 16 to 19 g. The plumage of the forehead, throat and upper breast is coloured deep rufous-chestnut. The crown and upperparts are a shiny steel-blue. Flight and tail feathers are black, the latter with large white windows.[2]
Behaviour
    
They frequent a variety of open habitats up to the fringes of forest, whether altered by man or natural. Their diet consists of a variety of flying insects. They may forage alone or in flocks, and emit a weak twittering. Their breeding season and abundance depends much on their region of residence, and a few undertake migrations.[2]
Range
    
It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
Relationships
    
It has been considered conspecific with the Red-chested swallow, but is generally taken as a full species in a species complex that includes Barn, Red-chested, Pacific, Welcome, White-throated and Ethiopian swallows.[3]
Subspecies
    
There are two subspecies, but intermediate forms occur:[3]
- H. a. angolensis – type from Huíla Province, Angola
- H. a. arcticincta Sharpe, 1891[4] – East Africa
 - nominate subsp. 
 - subsp. arcticincta 
 deeper tail-fork,
 paler belly plumage
References
    
- BirdLife International (2016). "Hirundo angolensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22712272A94326670. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22712272A94326670.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- Turner, A. "Angolan Swallow (Hirundo angolensis)". Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- "Angolan Swallow (Hirundo angolensis) - HBW 9, p. 666". The Internet Bird Collection (IBC). Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- "Angola Swallow (arcticincta)". avibase. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
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