The greater striped swallow is a large swallow that is native to Africa south of the equator.
Region
Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from South Africa and Lesotho north through Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, with movements into southern Zambia and adjacent regions. It favors open country including grasslands, savanna, farmland, and montane slopes, often near cliffs or human structures suitable for nest attachment. Frequently seen around roads, quarries, and bridges where mud nesting sites are available. Uses both natural rock faces and man‑made substrates, thriving in moderately open, lightly wooded landscapes.
Altitude Range
0–3000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The greater striped swallow is a large, striking swallow native to southern Africa, recognized by its rich rufous head and heavily streaked underparts. It builds gourd-shaped mud nests with long entrance tunnels on cliffs, culverts, bridges, and buildings, often reusing and extending old nests. Compared with the lesser striped swallow, it is bigger with bolder streaking and longer tail streamers.
Calling from fence
Nest built of mud pellets
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
swift and agile with rapid wingbeats and short glides
Social Behavior
Breeds in pairs or small loose colonies. Both sexes build a bottle-shaped mud nest with a long entrance tunnel, attached to vertical surfaces; nests are often reused and extended in subsequent seasons. Generally monogamous and attentive parents, with cooperative defense of the nest area.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Soft, twittering warbles interspersed with chirrs and trills, given in flight and from perches near the nest. Contact calls are sharp 'tsip' notes; the song is pleasant but not loud, often continuous during aerial foraging.
Plumage
Glossy blue-black upperparts with a rich rufous crown, nape, and rump; underparts buff-white to pale rufous heavily streaked with dark lines. Long, deeply forked tail with elongated outer streamers.
Diet
Feeds almost entirely on flying insects, including termites (especially alates), beetles, flies, wasps, and winged ants. Catches prey on the wing with agile, sustained flight over open areas. During termite emergences it gathers in loose groups to exploit the abundance. Occasionally forages low over water or short grass where insects concentrate.
Preferred Environment
Open grasslands, savannas, agricultural fields, and along escarpments and valleys. Frequently forages near human settlements, roads, and water bodies where insect activity is high.
