Memorandum to:         The Director of Birds Australia

 

From:                          Birds Australia Rarities Committee (BARC)

 

Date:                            31^st January 2007

 

                                               

 

 

Submission No 483: Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Darwin, NT,  16^th – 17^th March 2006. Submitted by: G. Maurer & Stuart Cooney

 

 

Verdict:  Accepted

 

 

This submission concerns the sighting of a Red-rumped Swallow H. daurica located in Darwin, NT on the 16^th March 2006 associating with Barn Swallows H. rustica. The bird was also reported (pers. comm. Mike Carter) the following day.

 

Distinctions identified within the submission and corroborated by photographs eliminate the very similar Striated Swallow H. striolata, describing the light streaking on the belly and face and the extensive area of rufous on the neck forming a nuchal collar. Additionally, one photograph depicts patches of rufous on the underparts and this too is diagnostic for daurica.

 

Members voted unanimously in favour of acceptance, making this the 2nd confirmed record for the Northern Territory and the 12^th confirmed record for Australia.

 

 

Selected Bibliography:

 

·         Carter, M. (2000). Identification of Red-rumped and Striated Swallows Hirundo daurica and H. striolata in Australasia. Australian Birding 6 (2): 9–18.

·         Cramp, S. (1988). Handbook of the Birds of the Western Palearctic, Vol.5. OUP; Oxford.

·         Grimmett, R., C. Inskipp & T. Inskipp. (1998). Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. Christopher Helm. London.

·         Turner, A. & C. Rose. (1989). A Handbook to the Swallows and Martins of the World. Christopher Helm, London.

·         Vaurie, C. (1951). Notes on some Asiatic Swallows. American Museum Novitates no. 1529.

·         BARC Case Number 390.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony Palliser

Chairman, Birds Australia Rarities Committee