Red-chested Swallow look-alikes
Cecropis semirufa
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Open the appSeveral birds can be mistaken for the Red-chested Swallow. Compare the key differences below to confirm your sighting.
Birds to compare
Greater Striped Swallow
Cecropis cucullata
Key differences
The Greater Striped Swallow has a streaked rufous underside, a streaked throat, and a pale, unstreaked rump. The Red-chested Swallow has a plain, unstreaked rufous underside and a plain rufous rump. Greater Striped Swallows also tend to have a more prominent pale nuchal collar.
Lesser Striped Swallow
Cecropis abyssinica
Key differences
Similar to Greater Striped Swallow, the Lesser Striped Swallow also has streaked underparts and a streaked throat, distinguishing it from the plain rufous underparts of the Red-chested Swallow. Lesser Striped Swallows are generally smaller and have a less deeply forked tail than Red-chested Swallows.
Mosque Swallow
Cecropis senegalensis
Key differences
The Mosque Swallow is larger, has a plain white belly (not rufous), and a rufous head and nape. Its rump is also rufous, but the overall underpart coloration is distinctly different.
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