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Recordings
Scientific Name
Ptyonoprogne rupestris
Arabic Name
خطاف الجبال
Kuwaiti name
رقيعي
Family
Length
14.0 cm
Similar species
Information
Scarce passage migrant and rare winter visitor. Unlike other swallows and martins this one is usually found far away from human habitation. Observed alone or in small groups; in Kuwait, often along the coast.
Where in Kuwait
It can be found around Jal Al Zor and over the wadis, coastal sites near Jahra and occassionally around human habitation.
In the world
It has an extremely large range with a population is estimated to be increasing following a recorded northward range expansion perhaps linked to the increased use of artificial structures as nest sites. It has a breeding range throughout southern Europe, northwest Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and southwest Asia, southern Russia to Siberia, north Mongolia, the Himalayas, and China. It winters in the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East, India and southern China. It feeds on small, flying invertebrates, such as flies, beetles, butterflies and moths, which it catches on the wing as it glides steadily in flight
Local threats
Pesticides impacting its aerial prey