The white-rumped swallow is a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae. First described and given its binomial name by French ornithologist Louis Pierre Vieillot in 1817, it was for many years considered a subspecies of the Chilean swallow. The species is monotypic with no known population variations. It has a white supraloral streak, or streak above its lores, which can be used to differentiate it from the Chilean swallow. The lores, ear coverts, tail, and wings are black, with white tips on the inner secondaries, tertials, and greater coverts of the wings. The rest of the upperparts are a glossy blue. Its underparts and underwing-coverts are white, in addition to the rump, as the name suggests. The sexes are similar, and the juvenile is duller and browner with a dusky breast.
Region
South America
Typical Environment
Breeds widely across southern and eastern South America, especially in southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and northern to central Argentina. Occurs in open country near water, along rivers and lake margins, over pasturelands, and around rural settlements. Often uses human-made structures for nesting and perches. In the nonbreeding season some populations shift northward into central Brazil and adjacent areas.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This glossy blue-and-white swallow is monotypic and was long confused with the Chilean swallow; a crisp white supraloral streak and bright white rump help tell it apart. It readily nests in cavities and will accept nest boxes, often lining the cup with feathers. Agile aerial foragers, white-rumped swallows frequently feed over open water and pasture in loose flocks.
White-rumped swallow perching
Using the abandoned nest of rufous hornero
Juveniles being fed by adult in flight
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
agile with short rapid wingbeats and frequent glides
Social Behavior
Often forms loose colonies or small groups, especially near suitable nest cavities. Pairs are typically monogamous; both sexes participate in nest building and feeding young. Will use natural cavities, fence posts, buildings, and nest boxes, frequently lining nests with feathers.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Soft, musical twitters and trills interspersed with sharp chips. Vocalizations are most frequent in flight and around nesting areas, forming a gentle, tinkling chorus.
Plumage
Glossy blue upperparts with blackish lores, ear coverts, wings, and tail; conspicuous white rump. Underparts and underwing-coverts are clean white. Inner secondaries, tertials, and greater coverts show small white tips. Juveniles are duller brownish with a dusky breast.
Diet
Feeds almost entirely on flying insects such as flies, beetles, wasps, flying ants, and termites. Captures prey on the wing with swift, acrobatic maneuvers and a wide gape. Will forage singly or in loose mixed-species aerial flocks when insects are abundant. Occasionally forages low over water surfaces to take emerging aquatic insects.
Preferred Environment
Open habitats near water bodies, pastures, and river corridors where aerial insects concentrate. Frequently forages above fields, along shorelines, and around rural settlements and bridges.
