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Welcome Swallow

(Hirundo neoxena)
Alternative name: "House Swallow"
Size: 14-15 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Welcome Swallows are endemic to Australia. There are two races, of which one, "carteri" is found in WA, whereas the nominate race "neoxena" is found in the eastern half of the continent. Both races are partly migratory and will spend the non-breeding season in the northern part of the continent, while during the breeding season they are found in the southern parts of their ranges. Race "neoxena" breeds along the south coast of the continent, eastward of the SA/WA border, up to about Coober Pedy, SA, all through VIC, Tasmania and NSW (except near Cameron's Corner), south-east QLD and the QLD coastal fringe up to Cooktown in the north. Outside the breeding season they move into the NT from SA (as far north as Alice Springs and beyond) and into all of QLD, except the westernmost part towards the NT. Race "carteri" migrates northwards within WA, to the north-western quarter of WA and occasionally also into the Great Sandy Desert, south of the Kimberleys. Depending on temperatures both races may stay in, or close to, their breeding areas.

Welcome Swallows can be found in all kinds of habitats, from dense forests to open plains, as long as there are suitable nest sites in the area, such as e.g. overhanging rocks, culverts or buildings with awnings. They adapt to the presence of humans very well and are regularly found around houses and barns.

Sightings

Welcome Swallows visited us regularly where we lived in 2003-2006, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW. A couple stayed there to raise their young under the roof of a barn.

There were no Welcome Swallows around 20 km east of Narrabri during the winter of 2007, which brought temperatures down to -5 C. However, during the following winter (2008) a flock of at least 20 Welcome Swallows stayed in the area, indicating that there would not be a harsh winter. Seen also throughout the winters of 2009 and 2010. In 2011, although locally the frosts were very rare and moderate, they were absent for about 2 months.

Seen by us regularly in various locations in inland NSW in the years 2007-2011.

Welcome Swallows were also spotted by us in many locations along the NSW north coast in January 2011.

Photos

Frontal view of a Welcome Swallow

Lateral view of a Welcome Swallow

Here one with its head turned Welcome Swallow

Dorsal view of a Welcome Swallow

Welcome Swallow in flight seen from underneath (photo by R. Druce)

Welcome Swallow in flight (right); on the left one can also see a Fairy Martin

Feeding time for two young Welcome Swallows, with one of their parents approaching from the left with something it its bill

Family of Welcome Swallows preening (photo courtesy of R. Druce)

Close-up near-lateral view of an immature Welcome Swallow (photo courtesy of R. Druce)

Young Welcome Swallow waiting to be fed

Breeding information

Breeding season: Jul - Jan Eggs: 4 - 6 Incubation period: 14 - 16 days Fledging age: 14 days

Welcome Swallows can, given the right conditions, breed any time of the year. They can nest in colonies, but also on their own. Pairs often have more than one clutch per breeding season. The nest and eggs shown above where photographed at the start of August, that is winter in our region, when the birds were getting off to an early start. A pair nesting in an empty water tank at our neighbour's place at the same time tells us that this is not a singular occurrence. Male and female share the incubation and feeding duties. During the breeding season adult birds will roost on or in the nest.

Nest

Type: Bowl Material: Mud with feather lining Height above ground: Various

Nests can be at heights of up to several metres, but may also be attached to surfaces of culverts that are below ground level.

During the summers of 2006/07 and 2007/08 we had a nest under the awning of the roof of our home 20 km east of Narrabri. This nest was re-used in the 2011/12 breeding season. No changes were made to the clay bowl; only new lining was used.

Welcome Swallow feeding four chicks

View from the other side of the nest

Curious chicks peeking over the rim of the nest

This one was the first to start sitting on the edge of the nest

Here a bird inspecting an old nest in the middle of winter, mid-July

Eggs

Size: 19 x 13 mm Colour: Pale creamy with light-brown speckles Shape: Tapered oval

Below a photo taken with a mirror of an egg in the first nest shown above.

Welcome Swallow egg in nest

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Migratory/ dispersive/ sedentary Elementary unit: Pair/flock

Welcome Swallows will leave an area during mild to severe night frosts. They can thereby serve as a good indicator for the severity of a winter to come. If they stay around, temperatures will usually not drop below -2 to -3 C.

Food

Like all other swallows known to us, Welcome Swallows are insect hunters. They feed in-flight on small insects.