A migratory and breeding species for Cyprus and the Akamas peninsula. It arrives early in spring (February – April) and departs in autumn (September – October). It’s a common, the most widespread and known to the public swallow species, directly connected with humans. It’s the species referred in fairy tales and stories, can be characterized as the ‘classic’ swallow that everybody knows in Cyprus.

It’s seen in groups chasing insects in flight, while it breeds in pairs that build their nests almost exclusively in human settlements (under roofs of basements, balconies, windowsills and other constructions). The nest is an open cup made from mud and plant material.

It’s a species that has a strong instinct of ‘patriotism’, which means the pair returns to the same area (even the same nest or house) every year, with the young often come to the same area with the parents to make their own nest. It’s black with blue gloss on the upperparts, with a long, forked, black tail, white underparts with a wide black collar and characteristic dark red face (throat and forehead).