White-backed swallow
| White-backed swallow | |
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| File:Cheramoeca leucosterna ASWSP 2 - Christopher Watson.jpg | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Phylum: | |
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| Genus: |
Cheramoeca
Cabanis, 1850
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| Species: |
C. leucosterna
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| Binomial name | |
| Cheramoeca leucosterna (Gould, 1841)
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File:White-backed swallow habitat.png
White-backed swallow distribution map
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Lua error in Module:Taxonbar/candidate at line 22: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).The white-backed swallow (Cheramoeca leucosterna) is a member of the family Hirundinidae and is endemic to Australia.[1] It is monotypic within the genus Cheramoeca.[2] As with all swallows within the family Hirundinidae, it is characterised by adaptation to aerial feeding. The white-backed swallow can be identified by its white back, surrounded by black wings and tail. The white-backed swallow has a wide distribution, from the southern part of the Australian continent, up to the Tropic of Capricorn. The white-backed swallow prefers grasslands and will create a burrow nest.
Description
An adult white-backed swallows averages 15 cm long, similar in size to other swallows found within Australia.[3] The adult has a mottled grey cap above white eyebrows and a grey eye stripe across the nape of the neck. The back and most of the breast is white. The belly, wings and tail are black.
The white-backed swallow has a deeply forked tail, with curved and pointed wings. The short bill is black; the legs and feet are grey. They have a slender, streamlined body. Their eyes consist of a prominent, dark iris. The sexes have similar colouring but during adolescence the white-backed swallow has duller colours.[4]
John Gould first described the white-backed swallow in 1841 and included it in his publication “The Birds of Australia”. The white-backed swallow is also sometimes referred to as “Black-and-white Swallow", "White-breasted Swallow", "White-capped Swallow.". A taxonomic synonym for Cheramoeca leucosterna is Cheramoeca leucosternus.[5]
Habitat & Range
White-backed Swallows are endemic to Australia and have a wide population distribution on the continent. They can be found from the southern latitudes of Australia and their range extends to the Tropic of Capricorn. Occasionally, after inland rainfall, white-backed swallows can extend their range to encompass the entire southern portion of Australia including the desert regions. White-backed Swallows prefer open country, above open grassland and low shrubs. During the breeding season, they have a strong preference for habitats around creek beds.[6]
There is no population count, but the species is reported to be common.[7] Due to range expansion from land clearance and mining, the population is estimated to be increasing. Due to the large range and increasing population, the white-backed swallow is categorised as least concern.
Behaviour
White-backed Swallows are insectivorous and feed in-flight on insects, like all known swallows. The composition of its diet varies by geographic region and with the time of year. The white-backed swallow typically nests by digging a horizontal tunnel into a vertical dirt cliff.[8] Predation of swallows nests is known to occur, typically from foxes and cats.[9]
References
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[[File:The birds of Australia (17065696432).jpg|The birds of Australia (17065696432)]]
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