Hirundo atrocaerulea
Blue Swallows are intra-African migrants with breeding populations in South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. During non-breeding seasons these feathered travellers migrate to Uganda, Kenya, DRC and Tanzania, and have even been spotted as far north as Kidepo Valley National Park in north-eastern Uganda.

The Blue Swallow is one of South Africa’s most endangered birds with only 85 pairs remaining in the country. The total African breeding population is estimated to be approximately 1500 pairs.

The global Blue Swallow population is classified as Vulnerable under IUCN’s Red List criteria and the South African (including Swaziland) population is classified as Critically Endangered.

Blue Swallow distribution is fragmented over much of its range and they are specialist birds that are only found in high altitude mistbelt grassland and mountain sourveld. Unfortunately, less than 6 % of mistbelt grassland remains in South Africa due to major land transformation and degradation. Commercial timber, commercial sugarcane, potato farming, other agricultural practices, mining and urban and rural population growth are largely responsible for destroying vast tracts of grassland. This dramatic decrease in suitable breeding grassland for Blue Swallows is largely responsible for their Critically Endangered status in South Africa.

The EWT Blue Swallow Working Group’s mission is to conserve and increase the Blue Swallow population by promoting the sustainable utilisation of its montane grassland and wetland habitats, for the benefit of all people, throughout its ten-country sub-Saharan African distribution range. This requires applied research, active fieldwork, multi-stakeholder participation, education and awareness and active lobbying for habitat protection.