FAMILY NAME: Hirundinidae SCIENTIFIC NAME: Hirundo neoxena SUBSPECIES: carteri
SIZE: 15cm. (6") tip to tail.
LOCATION: Found over almost the entire continent of Australia, except in the very arid centre and the north.
BREEDING: Breeding season is from August to February, laying from 3 to 5 eggs, and may raise 2 broods in a season. Both the male and female feed their young, but only the female incubates. The nest is built by both male and female, which is made of mud and straw and lined with soft material, like feathers.
GENERAL: The head and back is metallic blue/black, with whitish underparts, deep chestnut forehead and throat. The wings and tail are brownish/black, the tail being long and forked with "streamers". They occupy a wide range of habitats, but avoid heavy woodland. Their acrobatics in the air allow them to catch insects on the wing.
References:
Michael Morecombe. Field Guide to Australian Birds, Complete Compact Edtion.
Ken Simpson - Nicholas Day. The Birds of Australia.
M. Blakers - S. J. J. F. Davies - P. N. Reilly. The Atlas of Australian Birds.
Birds in Backyards. www.birdsinbackyards.net
