Introduction
The Pacific Swallow, a remarkable member of the Hirundinidae family, is celebrated for its exceptional adaptations to aerial life. This small but agile bird is characterized by its slender physique, elongated pointed wings, and distinctive coloring, making it a masterful hunter of insects in mid-flight.
Fun Fact 1: Amazing Flying Abilities
Swallow birds is that they are known for their incredible flying abilities, including their agility and speed. Some species of swallows are capable of flying at speeds of up to 35-45 miles per hour (55-70 kilometers per hour) on average, with bursts of even greater speed during migration. Their acrobatic flight patterns, including swooping and diving to catch insects on the wing, make them fascinating to observe in the wild.
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Pacific Swallow
The Pacific Swallow, a member of the family Hirundinidae, is superbly adapted for aerial life. With its slender, streamlined body, long pointed wings, and short, wide-gaped bill, it excels in catching insects on the wing. This small swallow, measuring 13 cm (5.1 in) in length, exhibits an iridescent blue-black back and crown, contrasting with brownish wings and tail, a red face and throat, and dusky underparts.
Common Name: Pacific Swallow
Scientific Name: Hirundo tahitica
Recorded Sightings: Viti Levu – Vanua Levu – Taveuni – Kadavu – Lomaiviti – Lau
Image Supplied: Ariefrahman. (2012)
NatureFiji-MareqetiViti is Fiji’s only domestic NGO working solely for the conservation and sustainable management of Fiji’s unique natural heritage – Link
That’s all, folks! No extra info to dig into this time!
Just a quick note—no footnotes to add this time!
- Ariefrahman, “Pair of Pacific Swallow,” photograph, 2012, Link.
- Jimenez, Daniel. 2017. “Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica” [Video]. Macaulay Library. Accessed 16 June 2024. Link.
- Jhih-Wei. 2021. “Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica” [Audio]. Macaulay Library. Accessed 16 June 2024. Link.
- Merlin, ‘Pacific Swallow’, eBird, accessed 16 June 2024, Link.
- Stringer, James. 2023. “Pacific Swallow.” Photograph. Flickr. November 22. Accessed June 16, 2024. Link
- Wikipedia contributors, ‘Pacific swallow’, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 6 April 2024, 19:32 UTC, accessed 16 June 2024, Link