The South African cliff swallow (Petrochelidon spilodera), also known as the South African swallow, is a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae native southern Africa. It winters to the lower Congo Basin.
| South African cliff swallow | |
|---|---|
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| In flight, at Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Gauteng, South Africa | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Hirundinidae |
| Genus: | Petrochelidon |
| Species: | P. spilodera
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| Binomial name | |
| Petrochelidon spilodera (Sundevall, 1850)
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| Synonyms | |
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Nests are commonly built from mud under artificial structures such as huts and bridges.[2] It is well known for its supposed ability to carry coconuts, although this claim has little to no credibility outside of the Monty Python fictional universe.[3]
Gallery
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Nests of the South African swallow under a highway bridge -
Petrochelidon spilodera - MHNT
References
edit- ^ BirdLife International (2017). "Petrochelidon spilodera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22712412A118750418. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22712412A118750418.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "Hirundo spilodera (South African cliff-swallow)". Biodiversity Explorer. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
- ^ "Unladen Swallows". Interesting Engineering. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- BirdLife International 2004. Hirundo spilodera. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 26 July 2007.
External links
edit- South African Cliff Swallow - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds.
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