Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Pacific swallow

Hirundo tahitica, Johann Friedrich Gmelin, 1789

(In Thai: นกนางแอ่นแปซิฟิก)

The Pacific swallow (Hirundo tahitica) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family. It breeds in tropical southern Asia and the islands of the south Pacific. It is resident apart from some local seasonal movements. This bird is associated with coasts, but is increasingly spreading to forested uplands. The hill swallow was formerly considered conspecific.

This species is a small swallow at 13 cm. It has a blue back with browner wings and tail, a red face and throat, and dusky underparts. It differs from the barn swallow and the closely related welcome swallow in its shorter and less forked tail.

The Pacific swallow builds a neat cup-shaped nest, constructed with mud pellets collected in the beak, under a cliff ledge or on a man-made structures such as a building, bridge or tunnel. The nest is lined with softer material, and the clutch is two to three eggs. It is similar in behaviour to other aerial insectivores, such as other swallows and the unrelated swifts. It is a fast flyer and feeds on insects, especially flies, while airborne.

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Category / Seasonal Status

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

BCST Seasonal status: Resident or presumed resident

Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Hirundinidae
Genus
Hirundo
Species
Hirundo tahitica

Common names

  • Thai: นกนางแอ่นแปซิฟิก

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Photos

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Pacific swallow

Range Map

Distribution map of Pacific swallow, Hirundo tahitica in Thailand
  • Ao Phang-Nga National Park
  • Bang Lang National Park
  • Bang Phra Non-Hunting Area
  • Bang Pu Recreation Centre
  • Bangkok Province
  • Budo - Su-ngai Padi National Park
  • Bueng Boraped Non-Hunting Area
  • Chaiya District, Surat Thani
  • Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Hat Chao Mai National Park
  • Hat Yai District, Songkhla
  • Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan
  • Kapong District, Phang Nga
  • Khanom District, Nakhon Si Thammarat
  • Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park
  • Khao Lak - Lam Ru National Park
  • Khao Luang National Park
  • Khao Nam Khang National Park
  • Khao Phra - Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
  • Khao Sok National Park
  • Khlong Hoi Khong District, Songkhla
  • Khlong Phanom National Park
  • Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khok Pho District, Pattani
  • Khung Kraben Non-Hunting Area
  • Khura Buri District, Phang Nga
  • Klaeng District, Rayong
  • Ko Chang District, Trat
  • Ko Chang National Park
  • Ko Lanta National Park
  • Ko Libong
  • Ko Phayam
  • Ko Phra Thong
  • Ko Samui District, Surat Thani
  • Ko Sichang District, Chonburi
  • Ko Tao
  • Kra Buri District, Ranong
  • Laem Ngop District, Trat
  • Laem Pak Bia
  • Laem Son National Park
  • Mu Ko Chumphon National Park
  • Mu Ko Phetra National Park
  • Mueang Chonburi District, Chonburi
  • Mueang Chumphon District, Chumphon
  • Mueang Krabi District, Krabi
  • Mueang Pattani District, Pattani
  • Mueang Phang Nga District, Phang Nga
  • Mueang Phatthalung District, Phatthalung
  • Mueang Phuket District, Phuket
  • Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan District, Prachuap Khiri Khan
  • Mueang Ranong District, Ranong
  • Mueang Samut Songkhram District, Samut Songkhram
  • Mueang Satun District, Satun
  • Mueang Surat Thani District, Surat Thani
  • Mueang Trat District, Trat
  • Namtok Phlio National Park
  • Nong Plak Phra Ya – Khao Raya Bangsa Non-Hunting
  • Nong Yai Area Development Project Under Royal Init
  • Pak Phanang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat
  • Pak Thale
  • Pathio District, Chumphon
  • Phi Phi Islands
  • Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
  • Phunphin District, Surat Thani
  • Samae San Island
  • Samut Prakan Province
  • Sathing Phra District, Songkhla
  • Sattahip District, Chonburi
  • Sawi District, Chumphon
  • Si Racha District, Chonburi
  • Sikao District, Trang
  • Similan Islands
  • Sirinat National Park
  • Sri Phang-nga National Park
  • Sukhirin District, Narathiwat
  • Surin Islands
  • Takua Pa District, Phang Nga
  • Tarutao National Marine Park
  • Tha Phae District, Satun
  • Thai Mueang District, Phang Nga
  • Thalang District, Phuket
  • Thale Ban National Park
  • Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area
  • Than Sadet - Koh Pha-Ngan National Park
  • Wat Phai Lom & Wat Ampu Wararam Non-Hunting Area
  • Yan Ta Khao District, Trang
Range map of Hirundo tahitica in Thailand