Welcome Swallow
Hirundo neoxena
Green Island, off Cairns, FNE Qld IMG_9401 20190410 - neoxena adult. CLICK for one flying over foreshore, Cairns North20231012.
Notes: Small. Metallic blue-black above, light grey below on the breast & belly; rusty on forehead,
throat & upper breast; dark chevrons on undertail coverts. A long forked tail, w. a row of white
spots. The much less common Barn Swallow has a dark chest band & is much paler below.
Juvenile: duller, browner; rufous areas paler; tail shorter. Ssp carteri differs by larger bill, shorter
tail. Those that live in E Aust. move to N in winter; Those that live in W Aust. are not migratory.
Range from eBird©(modified)
Ouyen Lake, NW Vic IMG_8827+8806 20210413 - neoxena adults flying. CLICK for another at Western Treatment Plant,Werribee, S Vic 20220109.
Foreshore, Cairns North, FNE Qld IMG_9364 20231025 - neoxena CLICK for one there on 20230916
Lake Placid Rec Park, Cairns, FNE Qld IMG_2475 20210518 - neoxena adult. CLICK for one flying, Karkarook Park,Heatherton, Melbourne, S Vic 20230521
Edithvale Wetlands, S Vic IMG_0559 20201227 - neoxena juvenile in worn plumage.
McKillops Bridge, E Vic IMG_7201 20151204 - neoxena two chicks. CLICK for fledgling at Nautilus Building, Cairns North,FNE Qld 20231006.
Hamelin Pool, Shark Bay, W WA IMG_5891 20181003 - carteri longer bill, shorter tail than neoxena.
Kirkalocka Station, CW WA IMG_6743 20181008 - carteri longer bill, shorter tail than neoxena.
Hamelin Pool, Shark Bay, W WA IMG_5893..5905 20181003 - carteri juvenile (yellow gape, dull colouring) being fed by adult.
Great Western, C Vic MVI_7030 20181213 - neoxena half speed; adult in the rain.
Mallacoota Water Treatment Plant, E Vic MVI_5304 20190305 - neoxena quarter speed; in the breeze.