Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Wild Bird Wednesday 195 - Welcome Swallow

When we got back from the trip out into the Bay, H pointed out this Welcome Swallow sitting on the back of a seat in another tour boat.  I love the way this bird seems to be looking around, taking things in.

The Welcome Swallow is the 'normal' swallow in my part of the world, and its a different species to the Barn Swallow (which I just called a Swallow) that I used to see in the UK.  The Welcome Swallow is Hirundo neoxena while the Barn Swallow is H. rustic.

 These birds do migrate north from Tasmania and SE Australia in the winter, but a few hand around all year.

In these pictures you can see that these swallows do not have the dark chest/ breast band of the Barn Swallow.






Now its your turn - click the blue button and off you go!



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41 comments:

  1. Brian King20 April 2016 at 02:31

    Gorgeous bird! It does look very similar to our barn swallows.

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  2. Silver Parrot20 April 2016 at 02:32

    We have Barn, Cliff and Tree Swallows here. The Tree Swallows are nesting right now and it's fun to watch them battle over turf and peek their heads out from their nests. Glad to see Swallows are represented "Down Under!"

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  3. Rohrerbot20 April 2016 at 02:45

    What a "welcome" sight:) I love the name of these birds. States it like it is:)

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  4. Author R. Mac Wheeler20 April 2016 at 02:50

    I didn't know swallows were so pretty.

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  5. FAB20 April 2016 at 03:22

    I have seen a few returning Barn Swallows very recently but your 'Welcome' version is a treat to view.

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  6. Findlay Wilde20 April 2016 at 03:40

    They are so similar though.

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  7. NatureFootstep20 April 2016 at 03:49

    I hope we will soon be saying Welcome swallow to our swallows :)

    Thanks for hosting :9

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  8. Beth20 April 2016 at 04:02

    I have Violet-green and Tree Swallows nesting at the moment. I am hoping to see a pair of Barn Swallows later on. I did see a Purple Martin which is unusual here.

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  9. eileeninmd20 April 2016 at 04:19

    Hello, I like the name Welcome Swallows, they are adorable. They look much like our Barn Swallows. Great photos and post. Thanks for hosting, enjoy your week!

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  10. Mary Howell Cromer20 April 2016 at 04:49

    Swallows, all Swallows even bird that resemble Swallows are at the top of my favorites list. You got some beautiful shots of this one~

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  11. Unknown20 April 2016 at 05:07

    Fabulous photos of the cute swallows. One knows it's summer when the swallows have returned.

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  12. Linda W.20 April 2016 at 05:25

    That swallow seems to be saying "c'mon - let's go!"

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  13. DeniseinVA20 April 2016 at 06:15

    They are always so cute looking. Great photos Stewart.

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  14. sunshine20 April 2016 at 06:23

    A beautiful bird, looks similar to the Barn Swallow.

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  15. diane b20 April 2016 at 06:45

    A boating bird, that's different. As you know I'm not a birder but I took a shot of a bird on our recent visit to the Blue Mnts and I don't recognise it. If you have time could you take a look http://diane-adventurebeforedementia.blogspot.com.au

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  16. GreenComotion20 April 2016 at 12:04

    The multiple shades of black, grey, blue and blue-black with the red/gold is really pretty. Nice snap. Thanks for hosting, Stewart!
    Have a Happy Week!
    Peace :)

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  17. NatureFootstep20 April 2016 at 16:00

    thanks for giving me the correct name of the Freckled duck. My list said one bird was seen :)

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  18. Jo20 April 2016 at 16:15

    Hi Stewart, I've only ever seen the Welcome Swallow in international bird books and websites. Great to see one up close. Thanks for sharing and for hosting this meme. Have a great day. Jo

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  19. mick20 April 2016 at 16:22

    Great photos of the swallows. I think that is what I see hanging around some of the boats up here but I must take a better look next time.

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  20. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 April 2016 at 18:00

    they seem tolove doing this as one did thesamee thing on a ferry one time I was in Sydney.

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  21. Anonymous20 April 2016 at 18:34

    That swallow sure was colorful.

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  22. Kenneth Cole Schneider20 April 2016 at 21:28

    Seems to be right at home in the tour boat. Probably looking around for bugs rather than enjoying the scenery. Its plumage is certainly similar to our Barn Swallow.

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  23. Jane of Levant20 April 2016 at 22:30

    Hello Stewart - I have just seen my first swallow for this year -flying over a local beauty spot - Lyth Hill in Shropshire - Mary Webb country - enjoy your week - Jane

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  24. Anu20 April 2016 at 23:36

    Very interesting swallow and nice looking too.It really looks very much same kind like Barn swallow.

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  25. Andrea @ From The Sol20 April 2016 at 23:50

    Nice that you anticipated our reaction and immediately defined the Welcome Swallow as different than the Barn Swallow, because I was already formulated my comment about the Barn Swallow when I read your information :) They do look very similar ... beautiful either way. We have Barn Swallows that build their nests under the covers of the boat lifts along our shore. I have watched them for years gleefully clear our air of mosquitoes ... so I love them for more than their beauty and their cute little faces. Good one, Stewart :)

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  26. photodoug21 April 2016 at 00:14

    Stewart, Welcome indeed. Thanks for sharing.

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  27. Lea21 April 2016 at 01:06

    Beautiful bird!

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  28. TheChieftess21 April 2016 at 01:35

    Pretty bird!!!

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  29. A Colorful World21 April 2016 at 01:46

    Such a darling little bird! I had never heard of a Welcome Swallow before.

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  30. ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©21 April 2016 at 03:46

    What a cutie!
    ~

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  31. Maude Lynn21 April 2016 at 05:33

    What a pretty bird!

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  32. Sallie (FullTime-Life)21 April 2016 at 05:42

    A beautiful swallow and I love the name! They would certainly be welcome anywhere I was! (I only wish I could see them.)

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  33. LOLfromPasa21 April 2016 at 06:30

    I have seen many swallows in California. Your images are wonderful.

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  34. This N That21 April 2016 at 08:43

    What a beautiful bird..I love Swallows..Barn Swallows used to dive back and forth while I was mowing going for the bugs I stirred up..

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  35. Anonymous21 April 2016 at 13:58

    When I think you could not possibly have more new birds up your sleeve, you always do! And this one is a beauty - and would be "welcome" in my yard! Love the colors!

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  36. TexWisGirl21 April 2016 at 16:36

    they're so stinking cute.

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  37. Anonymous21 April 2016 at 23:56

    So pretty!

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  38. JOY @ http://joysjotsshots.blogspot.com/22 April 2016 at 01:05

    Have not seen a swallow with these brilliant colors before. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  39. Anonymous22 April 2016 at 12:43

    Great images! Lucky to find such a cute little model!

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  40. David M. Gascoigne,22 April 2016 at 23:06

    Welome Swallow - what a great name huh? The other evocative hirundine moniker I always like is Mosque Swallow.

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  41. Wally Jones23 April 2016 at 02:12

    I'm just happy to see evidence swallows actually PERCH on something! I only see them flying at Mach 2! Great shots, Stewart!

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