Story: Land birds – overview

Welcome swallow

Welcome swallow

The welcome swallow is one of the species that have recently arrived unassisted from Australia. The first record of them breeding in New Zealand was near Kaitāia in 1958. Just 20 years later it had expanded east as far as the Chatham Islands. Welcome swallows are now common, especially in lowland farmland and around wetlands. They build nests under the eaves of houses and barns or other structures such as bridges.

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Department of Conservation
Reference: 10033932
Photograph by Dick Veitch

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How to cite this page:

Kerry-Jayne Wilson, 'Land birds – overview - Land bird groups and their origins', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/9889/welcome-swallow (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Kerry-Jayne Wilson, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 20 Apr 2015