What to Know About the Mosque Swallow in Uganda?

The Mosque Swallow in Uganda is one of the African birds of Uganda seen during birding safaris.

This large swallow breeds widely across Sub-Saharan Africa and is known to follow the rains, though it is not fully migratory.

Birdwatchers on Uganda birdwatching safaris and Uganda birding tours often enjoy spotting this graceful bird. Its presence enriches birdwatching tours in Uganda, making birding in Uganda an engaging and rewarding experience.

How Does the Mosque Swallow in Uganda Look Like?

The mosque swallow is the heaviest and largest (21–23 cm in length) species of African swallow, similar to a big red-rumped swallow.

The crown, upperparts and tail are glossy dark blue, the lores and sides of the head are whitish forming a collar.

The rump is dark rufous while the throat and upper breast are pale rufous, shading to dark rufous on the remainder of the underparts.

Very pale underwing coverts contrast with the dark flight feathers. Females are similar to males but have shorter tail streamers. Juveniles are browner.

How Does the Mosque Swallow in Uganda Feed?

The mosque swallow forages on flying insects like ants, termite alates and flies, foraging is normally 2-30m above the ground.

It reacts highly to termite emergence events and bush fires when it can gather in groups of up to 30 birds.

How does the Mosque swallow in Uganda nest?

The mosque swallow nests alone or in small groups. The nesting materials are mud pellets and lined with grass and feathers.

Its shape is like that of a gourd and it has a long entrance tunnel attached to the side. The nest is usually set in a tree cavity, very frequently in a baobab, but also in or under tree branches, in buildings or road culverts. Females lay between 2 to 4 eggs.