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Lesser Striped Swallow
Swallows & Martins · Partial migrant

Lesser Striped Swallow

Cecropis abyssinica

Least Concern15–19 cm · 15–25 g

By the Birdfact teamChecked byNathan Cope

A master of aerial acrobatics, this small swallow swoops and glides through African skies in flocks, snatching insects with pinpoint precision.
On this page11 sections
  1. How to recognise it
  2. Its size
  3. Its song and calls
  4. When and where to see it
  5. What it eats
  6. Nesting and breeding
  7. Behaviour
  8. Conservation
  9. More photos
  10. Quick facts
  11. Sources

How to recognise it

The Lesser Striped Swallow is a small, striking bird with a distinctive appearance. It has a rufous-chestnut head and nape, with a glossy deep blue back. The wings and tail are blackish-brown, with the tail featuring long outer streamers. The underparts are white with dark streaks, most prominent on the throat and upper breast.

Both sexes look similar, though females have shorter tails. Juveniles show duller colouring overall, with a darker crown and paler rump.

Its size

Adults
Length
15–19 cm
Wingspan
28–30 cm
Weight
15–25 g

Its song and calls

The Lesser Striped Swallow has a soft, musical voice. Its call is a gentle, twittering 'tswee-tswee' or 'trit-trit', often given in flight.

During the breeding season, males may produce a more elaborate warbling song, typically delivered from a perch.

When and where to see it

The Lesser Striped Swallow is not recorded regularly in the UK, Ireland, the United States or Canada.

Worldwide: recorded regularly in 27 countries

Countries where it was recorded in at least 3 of the 6 years 2019–2024. Linked countries have their own bird list.

Africa (27)

Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made

Download citations (7)

Tips for seeing it

  • Look for them near open areas with nearby structures for nesting
  • Observe their distinctive flight pattern: swift and graceful with quick turns
  • Listen for their soft, twittering calls, especially when in flight
  • Check eaves of buildings or bridges for their mud nests

What it eats

Lesser Striped Swallows are insectivores, primarily feeding on flying insects caught in mid-air. Their diet includes flies, beetles, and flying ants. 

They often feed in groups, swooping and gliding to catch prey, and may follow large animals or farm machinery to catch disturbed insects.

Nesting and breeding

Breeding typically occurs during the rainy season when insects are abundant. Lesser Striped Swallows form monogamous pairs and often breed in loose colonies.

Nests are constructed from mud pellets mixed with grass, forming a closed cup with a tubular entrance. These are usually attached to vertical surfaces under eaves or bridges.

Females lay 2-4 white eggs with brown speckles. Both parents incubate the eggs for about 14-16 days and care for the chicks, which fledge after approximately 20-23 days.

Behaviour

Lesser Striped Swallows are highly social birds, often seen in large flocks during non-breeding seasons. They are aerial insectivores, skilfully catching insects mid-flight with acrobatic manoeuvres.

These swallows frequently perch on wires or branches, especially when gathering nesting material or resting.

Conservation

The Lesser Striped Swallow is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its adaptability to human-modified environments has helped maintain stable populations.

However, like many aerial insectivores, it may face challenges from pesticide use and climate change affecting insect abundance.

More photos

3 photos

Quick facts

Length
15–19 cm
Wingspan
28–30 cm
Weight
15–25 g
Lifespan
2–4 years
Family
Swallows & Martins
Migration
Partial migrant
Global status (IUCN)
Least Concern
World population
Not quantified, but common throughout its range
Population trend
Increasing
Scientific name
Cecropis abyssinica

Sources

4
  1. 1BirdLife International. 2024. Cecropis abyssinica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: e.T22712350A263839246. Source (opens in a new tab)
  2. 2del Hoyo et al. (2004)
  3. 3del Hoyo et al. (2004)
  4. 4Lifespan estimated based on similar species
Spotted a mistake?Tell usHow we write and checkBy the Birdfact team · Updated

Checked by

Nathan Cope, founder and editor

Nathan founded Birdfact and leads its writers and contributors in the UK, the US and Canada. He has watched and studied birds for more than ten years, and checks every article and species guide before it’s published.

How we write and checkAbout Nathan