African river-martin  (Pseudochelidon eurystomina)

Description

The African river-martin, the most primitive living swallow (3), has blue-black or purple-black plumage with an attractive green sheen to the back, and sooty brown under-wings. Its tail is black and square, the feet are brownish-pink, and the red eye is surrounded by a pink eyering (2). Like other swallows, the African river-martin’s large, orange-red bill can open wide, enabling the bird to catch insects while flying with ease (2) (4). Male and female African river-martins are the same in appearance while juveniles have dull sooty brown plumage (2).

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