The Indian Subcontinent provides suitable habitats to various species of birds for residing and reproducing. Swallows are no exception in this regard. Wire-Tailed Swallow and Striated Swallow are the two swallows which have been recorded in India. They belong to the kingdom, Animalia; phylum, Chordata; class, Aves; order, Passeriformes; and family, Hirundinidae. These swallows are described below.
Wire-Tailed Swallow
Wire-Tailed Swallow has bright blue upper body. Its underparts are bright white in color. The bird has a chestnut cap. The name of the bird has been derived from its very long filamentous outermost tail feathers, which trail behind like two wires. The bird has a length of about 18 cm. Male and female Wire-Tailed Swa llows are known to be similar, but the female bird has shorter "wires". This bird flies fast and generally depends on insects, especially flies, for survival. If the bird lacks tail wires and has dull brown cap, it is then identified as an immature bird. If the bird has a brown crown, back and tail, it is then identified as a juvenile.
Striated Swallow
Striated Swallow has been traced in north-eastern India. The upperparts of the bird are blue in color, except the reddish collar. Its underparts and face are white in color and have dark streaking. Its chestnut rump is also streaked. The bird has brown wings. The tail of the bird can be described as deeply forked. The bird has a length of about 19 cm. Male and female Wire-Tailed Swallows are known to be similar. If the bird is duller and browner, with a paler rump and shorter outer tail feathers, it is then identified as a juvenile. This bird has a slow buoyant flight compared to barn swallow. This swallow depends on flying insects for survival and feeds with other swallow species.
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