The pied-winged swallow is a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae. It has distinctive steel-blue upperparts with white wing patches. It is native to parts of West Africa.
Region
West Africa
Typical Environment
This species occurs from Senegal and The Gambia east through Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and into parts of Nigeria. It favors open habitats with scattered trees, gallery forests, forest edges, and wooded savannas, often near rivers and streams. It is also found around human settlements where suitable nesting ledges and open airspace are available. Local movements may occur following rains and insect abundance, but populations are largely resident within their range.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The pied-winged swallow is a sleek West African swallow recognized by its glossy steel-blue upperparts and striking white wing panels. It often forages over rivers and open woodland, catching insects on the wing with agile, acrobatic flight. Pairs or small colonies build mud cup nests on natural cliffs, rock faces, and increasingly on human structures. It is generally common within suitable habitat and considered of low conservation concern.
Wing pattern in flight
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile, buoyant glides
Social Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small groups, sometimes forming loose colonies at nest sites. Nests are mud cups attached to vertical surfaces such as cliffs, rock faces, bridges, or buildings. Both parents participate in nest construction and feeding, and they may reuse or refurbish nests across seasons.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, twittering series of chirps and trills typical of swallows. Calls are given frequently in flight and around nest sites, with higher-intensity chatter during territorial or courtship interactions.
Plumage
Glossy steel-blue to blue-black upperparts with a conspicuous white panel formed by white wing coverts; clean white underparts. Wings are dark with the pale panel standing out in flight; tail moderately forked.
Diet
An aerial insectivore, taking small flying insects such as flies, beetles, winged ants, termites, and other swarming taxa. It hunts on the wing, often over open areas, riparian corridors, and canopy edges. During termite emergences it may gather with other swallow species to exploit the brief abundance. Prey is captured with quick sallies and agile turns, sometimes low over water.
Preferred Environment
Feeds over rivers, streams, open woodland, forest edges, and savanna clearings. Frequently forages above roads and agricultural fields where insects are concentrated and airspace is unobstructed.
