Least Concern Birds

Wire-tailed Swallow

Hirundo smithii

Wire-tailed Swallow feeds on flying insects in African grasslands near water.

Scientific name	Hirundo smithii
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Hirundinidae
Size	Male: body length approximately 15-17 cm, weight about 16-22 g; female: slightly shorter body length, slightly lighter weight

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How to identify

Tail feathers elongated and thin, filamentous tail; back glossy blue-black; belly white; tail distinctly forked in flight; bill short and black

Habitat

Open grasslands, open woodland savannas, valleys, and open areas near water bodies

Diet

Primarily feeds on flying insects such as flies, mosquitoes, and other small flying insects; carnivorous

When it is active

Diurnal, mainly active during the day, more active at dawn and dusk

Where it lives

Mainly distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Masai Mara region, and neighboring countries

How to spot it

Observe near open water bodies or grasslands, pay attention to tail feather features in flight, lighting is better at dawn and dusk

Photography tips

Use telephoto lens to capture details of tail feathers in flight, choose well-lit times, simple background helps highlight filamentous tail

Threats

Habitat destruction and pesticide use leading to food reduction

Similar species

Common Swallow (Hirundo rustica), differs by having longer and thinner tail feathers; Red-bellied Swallow (Cecropis daurica) has a more reddish plumage

📖 how to spot the wire tailed swallow on safari