Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Striated swallow

Cecropis striolata

Coenraad Jacob Temminck & Hermann Schlegel, 1847

In Thai: นกนางแอ่นลาย

The striated swallow (Cecropis striolata) is a species of swallow found in open, often hilly areas, clearings and cultivation in South and Southeast Asia to northeastern India and Taiwan.

The striated swallow was formerly sometimes considered to a subspecies of red-rumped swallow.

Description

The striated swallow is 19 cm long with a deeply forked tail. It has blue upperparts other than a reddish collar (sometimes absent) and streaked chestnut rump. The face and underparts are white with heavy dark streaking. The wing are brown. The sexes are alike but juveniles are duller and browner, with a paler rump and shorter outer tail feathers.

There are four races:

  • C. s. striolata breeds in Taiwan, The Philippines and Indonesia.
  • C. s. mayri breeds from northeastern India to northwestern Myanmar and northeastern Bangladesh. It has broader streaks than nominate striolata.
  • C. s. stanfordi breeds from northeastern Myanmar to northern Thailand. It has broad streaks.
  • C. s. vernayi breeds locally in western Thailand. It is more rufous below than the nominate race, and is only faintly streaked on the rump.

The contact call is pin, the alarm is chi-chi-chi, and the song is a soft twittering.

This species, particularly subspecies mayri is very similar to red-rumped swallow of the race japonicus, but is larger, more heavily streaked, and has a less distinct neck collar.

Migration

The island subspecies are essentially resident, but the continental races mayri and stanfordi are partial migrants which move south in the winter.

Breeding

The striated swallow breeds from April to July alone or semi-colonially with scattered nests. The nest is a retort or bottle shaped structure, made from mud pellets and lined with dried grasses and feathers. The clutch is usually four, sometimes five, white eggs except for badia, where two eggs is normal. Both sexes build the nest, and share incubation and the care of the young.

Nests are constructed in natural caves, but very often in artificial sites on bridges, in culverts and on buildings.

Feeding

The striated swallow feeds low over the ground or at cliff faces on flying insects. It has a slow buoyant flight compared to barn swallow. It will feed with other swallow species.

This article uses material from Wikipedia released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike Licence 3.0. Eventual photos shown in this page may or may not be from Wikipedia, please see the license details for photos in photo by-lines.

Category / Seasonal Status

BCST Category: Recorded in an apparently wild state within the last 50 years

BCST Seasonal statuses:

  • Resident or presumed resident
  • Non-breeding visitor

Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Hirundinidae
Genus
Cecropis
Species
Cecropis striolata

Common names

  • Thai: นกนางแอ่นลาย

Subspecies

  • Cecropis striolata mayri, B. P. Hall, 1953

    Range: Breeds from northeastern India to northwestern Myanmar. It has broader streaks than nominate striolata.

  • Cecropis striolata stanfordi, Austin Loomer Rand & Ernst Walter Mayr, 1941

    Range: Breeds from northeastern Myanmar to northern Thailand. It has broad streaks.

  • Cecropis striolata striolata, Hermann Schlegel, 1844

    Range: Breeds in Taiwan, The Philippines and Indonesia.

  • Cecropis striolata vernayi, Norman Boyd Kinnear, 1924

    Range: Breeds locally in western Thailand. It is more rufous below than the nominate race, and is only faintly streaked on the rump.

Synonyms

  • Hirundo striolata

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Photos

Please help us review the bird photos if wrong ones are used. We can be reached via our contact us page.

Striated swallow

Range Map

Distribution map of Striated swallow, Cecropis striolata in Thailand
  • Ban Phai District, Khon Kaen
  • Chae Hom District, Lampang
  • Chae Son National Park
  • Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai
  • Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai
  • Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai
  • Dan Sai District, Loei
  • Doi Inthanon National Park
  • Doi Lang
  • Doi Lo District, Chiang Mai
  • Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park
  • Doi Phu Kha National Park
  • Doi Suthep - Pui National Park
  • Fang District, Chiang Mai
  • Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Huai Nam Dang National Park
  • Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi
  • Kaeng Krachan District, Phetchaburi
  • Kaeng Krachan National Park
  • Khao Laem National Park
  • Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Yai National Park
  • Khao Yoi District, Phetchaburi
  • Khlong Lan National Park
  • Khon San District, Chaiyaphum
  • Khun Chae National Park
  • Khun Tan District, Chiang Rai
  • Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai
  • Mae Chan District, Chiang Rai
  • Mae Mo District, Lampang
  • Mae Ping National Park
  • Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai
  • Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai
  • Mae Wong National Park
  • Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai
  • Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai
  • Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi
  • Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen
  • Mueang Nong Khai District, Nong Khai
  • Mueang Phetchaburi District, Phetchaburi
  • Nam Nao National Park
  • Nong Bong Khai Non-Hunting Area
  • Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Pa Sang District, Lamphun
  • Pai District, Mae Hong Son
  • Pak Thale
  • Pang Sida National Park
  • Pang Sila Thong District, Kamphaeng Phet
  • Pha Daeng National Park
  • Pha Taem National Park
  • Phan District, Chiang Rai
  • Phu Chi Fa Forest Park
  • Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park
  • Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Phu Langka National Park
  • Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park
  • Phu Soi Dao National Park
  • Phu Suan Sai National Park
  • Pran Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan
  • Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi
  • San Sai District, Chiang Mai
  • Sri Nakarin Dam National Park
  • Taksin Maharat National Park
  • Tat Mok National Park
  • Tha Takiap District, Chachoengsao
  • Tham Sakoen National Park
  • Thap Lan National Park
  • Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary
Range map of Cecropis striolata in Thailand