South African cliff swallow

The South African cliff swallow (Petrochelidon spilodera), also known as the South African swallow, is a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae native southern Africa. It winters to the lower Congo Basin.

South African cliff swallow
In flight, at Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Gauteng, South Africa
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Hirundinidae
Genus:	Petrochelidon
Species:	P. spilodera
Binomial name
Petrochelidon spilodera (Sundevall, 1850)
Synonyms
Hirundo spilodera

Nests are commonly built from mud under artificial structures such as huts and bridges.^[2] It is well known for its supposed ability to carry coconuts, although this claim has little to no credibility outside of the Monty Python fictional universe.^[3]

Gallery

• 
  Nests of the South African swallow under a highway bridge
• 
  Petrochelidon spilodera - MHNT