Story: Birds of mountains and open country

Welcome swallows

Welcome swallows

Welcome swallows first began breeding in New Zealand in the 1950s, but are now well established over most of the country. Their head and back are metallic blue to black, and they have a rusty orange forehead, chin and throat. These two are recent fledglings, apparent from their prominent yellow gapes and the short tail of the bird on the left.

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Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand
Reference: DSCH0365Smd.jpg
Photograph by Peter E. Smith

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How to cite this page:

Christina Troup, 'Birds of mountains and open country - Welcome swallow', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/14022/welcome-swallows (accessed 27 April 2024)

Story by Christina Troup, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015