the forest cobra ( naja melanoleuca ) , also commonly called the black cobra and the black and white-lipped cobra , is a species of venomous snake in the family elapidae .

the species is native to africa , mostly the central and western parts of the continent .

it is the largest true cobra species with a total length ( including tail ) of up to 3.1 meters ( 10 feet ) .

although it prefers lowland forest and moist savanna habitats , this cobra is highly adaptable and can be found in drier climates within its geographical range .

it is a very capable swimmer and is often considered to be semi-aquatic .

the forest cobra is a generalist in its feeding habits , having a highly varied diet : anything from large insects to small mammals and other reptiles .

this species is alert , nervous and is considered to be a very dangerous snake .

when cornered or molested , it will assume the typical cobra warning posture by raising its fore body off the ground , spreading a narrow hood , and hissing loudly .

bites to humans are less common than from other african cobras due to various factors , though a bite from this species is a life-threatening emergency .

forest cobra

it also inhabits mangroves in western africa . the banded form of forest cobra in
it ' s a trap !
taking advantage of a forest cobra .
forest biomes are dominated by trees , otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality .
) . the species is also known by other common names like african banded cobra , banded cobra , brown cobra or arabian cobra .
exploring the venom of the forest cobra snake : toxicovenomics and antivenom profiling of naja melanoleuca .
the egyptian cobra ( naja haje ) is a species of cobra found in africa . it is one of the largest cobra species native to africa , second to the forest cobra ( naja melanoleuca ) .
millburn , naomi .
habitat of a forest cobra
accessed july 09 , 2018 . urltoken
the forest cobra once held the record for longevity in captivity with a specimen that lived 28 years . like most other cobra species ,
the colour of this species is variable , with three main colour morphs . those from the forest or forest fringe , from
a snake of forest or woodland , it is the only one of africa ' s cobras that will live in high forest .
millburn , naomi .
habitat of a forest cobra .
animals - urltoken , http : / / animals . urltoken / habitat - forest - cobra - 5429 . html . accessed 09 july 2018 .
forest cobra snake ( black and white cobra , naja melanoleuca ) eating chicks at the meserani snake park at duka bovi in tanzania , africa .
millburn , naomi . ( n . d . ) . habitat of a forest cobra . animals - urltoken . retrieved from http : / / animals . urltoken / habitat - forest - cobra - 5429 . html
the forest cobras are snakes that are well adapted to many environments and the habitat of the forest cobra is strongly dependent on what part of its african range the snake originates from . forest cobras originating in the southern african regions are typically found in
maximum longevity : 29 . 1 years ( captivity ) observations : these animals are also known as forest cobra .
exploring the venom of the forest cobra snake : toxicovenomics and antivenom profiling of naja melanoleuca . - pubmed - ncbi
naja melanoleuca ( forest cobra ) venom . the amino acid sequence of phospholipase a , fraction de - iii .
rain forest facts : the forest cobra is the second largest species of cobra on earth . the rainforests of western africa are home to this large predator . reaching lengths of over 7 feet , this cobra can deliver a very powerful bite to any would - be predator . not afraid to stand their ground , the forest cobra is often regarded as an aggressive species in captivity .
some species like the forest cobra are habitat specialists and occupy specific niches while others like the indian cobra are habitat generalists and occur across a range habitat types .
in the event of an actual or probable bite from a forest cobra , execute the following first aid measures without delay .
naja melanoleuca ( forest cobra , black and white lipped cobra ) , kwazulu - natal , south africa . [ photo f . grundlingh © , from sarca virtual museum ]
naja melanoleuca ( forest cobra , black and white lipped cobra ) , kwazulu - natal , south africa . [ photo a . coetzer © , from sarca virtual museum ]
naja melanoleuca ( forest cobra ) venom . the amino acid sequence of phospholipase a , fraction de - iii . - pubmed - ncbi
occurs in wild forest and in cultivated areas . ( tropical rainforest animals , 2000 )
the north american coral snake habitat is highly variable , ranging from forest to desert .
wear down and drop out in pieces , making the back pair shift forward and two new molars emerge in the back of the african forest elephant ' s mouth . african forest
another time i found one on penang hill in malaysia while running down a forest trail .
the seven species of asiatic spitting cobras are the mandalay spitting cobra ( n . mandalayensis ) , palawan spitting cobra ( n . miolepis ) , philippine spitting cobra ( n . philippinensis ) , samar cobra ( n . samarensis , also known as the peter’s cobra ) , indochinese spitting cobra ( n . siamensis , also known as the black and white or thai spitting cobra , javan spitting cobra ( n . sputatrix ) , and the equitoral spitting cobra ( n . sumatrana ) .
for digging for roots in the ground and to strip the bark off trees . the african forest
opheodrys vernalis were hatched as part of breeding program in conjunction with lake county forest preserve district .
the forest cobra can be identified the following features ; highly polished body scales , its good climbing ability , a preference for thick vegetation in close proximity to water and its narrow hood . this snake grows to an average length of 2 meters but can grow up to 2 . 7 meters in length ( the forest cobra is the largest cobra in africa ) .
the forest cobra kicks off the list of deadliest snakes . members of this species , which grow to eight feet in length , are native to central africa .
seven species of african spitting cobras exist today . they are ashe’s spitting cobra ( n . ashei ) , the mali cobra ( n . katiensis ) , mozambique spitting cobra ( n . mossambica ) , zebra spitting cobra ( n . nigricincta ) , black - necked spitting cobra ( n . nigricollis ) , nubian spitting cobra ( n . nubiae ) , and the red spitting cobra ( n . pallida ) .
population has fortunately begun to recover . in 1980 , there were an estimated 380 , 000 african forest
the population of forest cobras in uganda are almost always found close to water . the brown colour phase occurs in coastal and high altitude forest , woodland and thicket , and grassland areas ( i . e .
the forest cobra is fast , very active , and an agile climber . it is active both day and night and can be aggressive if not able to retreat .
. the subgenus is united by their restriction to central and west african forest and / or forest - edge type habitat . they are also more aquatic and feed more on aquatic species . the species of the subgenus
largely due its forest - dwelling habits . the symptomology is thought to be very similar to that of the
this species is found from desert to savanna to thick forest . it can be found in urban areas .
gives birth to a single calf ( twins have been known but are extremely rare ) . the african forest
near streams in dense or open forest , bamboo thickets , adjacent agricultural areas , and dense mangrove swamps .
the forest cobra has a length of 79–118 in ( 2–3 m ) . with its large , thick body , it is africa ' s largest cobra . its color is variable by region but usually is dark with crossbars or blotches .
cobra de capelo translated from portuguese means “snake with hood” a term which loosely places a variety of snakes into the cobra bracket .
observation - forest cobra - southern africa . description : this was the second cobra found within an hour on this day ( only captured the tail in a photo so not good enough for an observation ) . also saw 5 other forest cobras in the same area over a period of two days in late september . the snakes appear to be acti
as its common name indicates , the forest cobra lives primarily in forest or woodlands , and it is the only cobra species found in such areas in africa . due to its ecological niche , humans do not often encounter forest cobras , and the species is one of the least frequent causes of snakebites in africa ( it possesses a primarily neurotoxic venom ) . it is primarily a diurnal species , and it exhibits some arboreal tendencies due to its natural habitat .
is the only african cobra that lives in high altitude forest , residing in a wide range of altitudes from sea level to 2800 m . forest cobras are highly adaptable snakes , and its habitat varies depending on which part of its african range it is living in . in southern africa ,
the forest cobra is one of the least frequent causes of snake bite among the african cobras , largely due its forest - dwelling habits and its shy , retiring demeanor . although one of the largest of the african naja cobras , the venom is considered less toxic than the others . if the snake becomes cornered or is agitated , it can quickly attack the aggressor , and if a large amount of venom is injected , a rapidly fatal outcome is possible . the forest cobra does not normally spit or spray its venom . the forest cobra is also felt by many her - petologists to be one of the most intelligent of the african elapids .
black - lipped cobra are also known as forest cobras and are most frequently found among the thick vegetation in lowland forest or coastal savannah thickets . they are noted for their climbing ability , often seen resting on the branches of shrubs or trees , having been spotted 30m up in the branches .
this snake seems to be highly adaptable and will readily move into drier areas if it can . in western kenya , the forest cobra has been found in wide stretched grassland areas .
the bite of the forest cobra with envenomation can be rapidly fatal ( possibly as early as 30 to 120 minutes ) . please read the attached medical management protocol and respond appropriately .
lives in savanna and grassland ( but usually along streams ) and well vegetated areas , especially riverine forest , up to latitude 14 n . the species ' preferred habitat are lowland forest and moist savanna where it favours coastal thickets .
king cobra beer or other king cobra drinks have nothing to do with king cobras , except in name . there is no king cobra venom in the beer or other drinks , it is just a catchy name .
renal symptoms have not yet been reported in forest cobra envenomation , but may complicate the situation , and if severe ( i . e . , acute renal failure ) may necessitate peritoneal dialysis .
forest cobra bites intimidate many due to their venomous natures . when forest cobras encounter human beings , they often react by retreating immediately to clandestine hiding spots . if they are frustrated and feel out of options , however , they will bite . the sturdy snakes ' venom can be extremely dangerous and even life - threatening . if you ever experience a bite from a forest cobra , seek medical assistance immediately . without urgent attention , death is a possibility , so take the matter seriously and do not hesitate to get help .
the king cobra is an example of a snake with
cobra
in its name , but it is not a member of the naja genus . the king cobra ( ophiophagus hannah ) is the only member of its genus .
the forest cobra is africa’s largest cobra species , with an average length of 1 . 4 to 2 . 2 m and a maximum recorded length of 2 . 7 m . males and females grow to similar sizes , there is no sexual dimorphism in the species . forest cobras are thick - bodied , cylindrical snakes with a tapering tail . their head is fairly large with black and white markings on the side which look like black and white bars on the jaws . like all cobra species ,
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nephrotoxicity : acute renal failure has not yet been reported in cases of forest cobra bites in humans . oliguria or anuria with possible changes in urinary composition will herald the development of renal shutdown . dialysis is advised .
the king cobra is found in dense , high jungle , often near water .
zoo officials were confident the missing cobra would be found in the building and not outside , since the egyptian cobra is known to be uncomfortable in open areas .
this species generally inhabits forest and woodland , but it can also be found in open savanna and grassland in some parts of its range .
cobras are large snakes ; many species reach more than 6 feet long ( 2 meters ) . according to cape snake conservation , the forest cobra is the largest true cobra , reaching 10 feet ( 3 m ) , and ashe’s spitting cobra is 9 feet ( 2 . 7 m ) , making it the world’s largest spitting cobra . the smallest species is the mozambique spitting cobra , which is about 4 feet long ( 1 . 2 m ) . king cobras , the longest of all venomous snakes , can reach 18 feet ( 5 . 5 m ) .
source / reference article learn how you can use or cite the african forest elephant article in your website content , school work and other projects .
it is not advisable to utilize subcutaneous or intradermal testing for sensitivity to equine products in that such testing may be unreliable , and may unnecessarily delay antivenom therapy which must be used if any signs of forest cobra envenomation are present .
if it doesn’t belong to the genus naja , then it’s not a true cobra .
it should come as no surprise though , that a cobra’s biggest enemy is man .
many of the species can reach lengths of 2 m ( 6 . 0 ft . ) ; the largest of which , the forest cobra ( n . melanoleuca ) , has been recorded at a whopping 3 . 1 m ( 10 ft . ) . at 2 . 7 m ( 8 . 9 ft ) , ashe’s spitting cobra ( n . ashei ) is the largest spitting cobra in the world .
forest cobras are a polygynandrous species , as both the male and the female may pair with multiple mates . male - male combat has been observed in
acts as a secondary and tertiary consumer , and are prey to other tertiary consumers and apex predators . forest cobras help control rodent and amphibian populations .
the forest cobra is a quick and agile terrestrial snake that is also inclined to climb in trees of 10 meters and higher . within some of its geographic range , it swims quite often and has been known to feed on fish , so it can be regarded as semi - aquatic . forest cobras are diurnal in uninhabited areas and nocturnal in urban zones around human activity . when inactive ,
cardiotoxicity : direct toxic effects on the myocardium or conducting system have not yet been reported in forest cobra envenomation . however , effects on the nervous or vascular systems may manifest as cardiac complications . monitoring of cardiac function and rhythm is advised .
king cobra eating a red - tailed racer ( g . oxycephalum ) snake – thailand .
the king cobra mates and the eggs are laid approximately 60 days later . the female king cobra builds a nest , while the male doesn’t play any role in protecting the young .
the king cobra is not considered to be a true cobra species , such as the other cobras in the naja genus ; instead , it belongs to its own genus , ophiophagus .
some authorities believe it is one of the most dangerous african snakes to be kept as many captive forest cobras are described to be particularly aggressive when handled .
a grassland with scattered trees or scattered clumps of trees , a type of community intermediate between grassland and forest . see also tropical savanna and grassland biome .
the king cobra habitat includes dense highland forests , open woods and pasturelands near bodies of water .
king cobra skull showing large teeth and thick , rather short fangs for injecting venom during envenomation .
one of the most interesting snakes in the world , the king cobra ( ophiophagus hannah ) .
make sure that at least 10 vials of south african institute for medical research ( s . a . i . m . r ) polyvalent antivenom are present with the patient . this antivenom contains the appropriate fractions necessary to neutralize the components of forest cobra venom .
as a whole . scales protect the body of the snake , aid it in locomotion , allow moisture to be retained within , and alter the surface characteristics such as roughness to aid in camouflage . the dorsal scales of the forest cobra are smooth , glossy and strongly oblique .
is one of the most frequently used in the
snake charming
shows it ' s wide hood and impressive build make the egyptian cobra species a good choice for the charmers . unlike other cobra species , the egyptian cobra doesn ' t display the noticeable dorsal marking or “eyespots” of other famous cobras including the
mating behavior of the african forest cobra includes male ritual combat . two males will literally
dance
with each other to determine who wins the right to mate with the female cobra . death or serious injury rarely occurs from such ritual behavior . once a male has established his dominance , the loser will generally move on with out any further incident . juvenile cobras , however , must beware of large adults . the cobra is cannibalistic and will readily make a meal out of smaller snakes .
the forest cobra ( n . melanoleuca ) is considered the largest true cobra species , and specimens have been documented at up to 10 feet in length . it occurs mainly in western and central africa , where it can be found from senegal in the west to angola , western kenya , uganda and rwanda in the east . it can also be found in some parts of south africa .
the mongoose is the best - known enemy of the cobra . according to urltoken , mongooses have thick fur to protect against cobra fangs and often defeat cobras in fights using their speed and agility . they can bite the cobra’s back before the snake can defend itself . cobras are also threatened from other snakes and humans .
other enemies include birds of prey and other snakes . it’s a snake eat snake world for a cobra .
hematological symptoms may present as a disseminated intravascular coagulopathy , and are treated as are other dics . this has not been reported in forest cobra envenomations . however , spontaneous hemorrhage , prolonged clot lysis with failure of clot retraction secondary to a platelet defect , delayed rise in fibrin degradation products , and complement ( c3 ) depletion have been seen following bites from the spitting cobra ( naja nigricollis ) .
the egyptian cobra was represented in egyptian mythology by the cobra - headed goddess meretseger . a stylised egyptian cobra — in the form of the uraeus representing the goddess wadjet — was the symbol of sovereignty for the pharaohs who incorporated it into their diadem . this iconography was continued through the ptolemaic kingdom ( 305 bc–30 bc ) .
forest cobras ( naja melanoleuca ) are members of family elapidae . they are big cobras . called
black and white cobras
due to their body patterning , forest cobras are often combinations of black and white , with dark upper bodies and pale white or off - white undersides . their shiny top portions , however , are frequently brownish - yellow rather than black .
. adults do show some preference towards frogs . juveniles feed mainly on anuran tadpoles , but will also consume small lizards . forest cobras in west africa have also been observed to prey upon
) which can attain lengths of 2 . 7 metres ( 8 . 9 feet ) to the burrowing cobra (
this cobra has a varied diet , including reptiles and amphibians ( even toads ) , birds , and eggs .
king cobra eating a red - tailed racer ( oxycephalum gonyosoma ) snake – thailand . copyright 2009 vern lovic .
many people are trying to find a king cobra in thailand , india , indonesia , malaysia , and elsewhere .
cobras can be found across most of africa and in many parts of asia . they inhabit a range of habitat types including desert , forest , fynbos , grassland , thicket and cultivated areas .
are pretty straight instead of curved to help them move through the thick jungle with greater ease . this , along with their pinkish tinge , has made the ivory of the african forest elephant ' s
has many potential predators , and they are the most vulnerable when they are juveniles . the most deadly enemy to forest cobras is the mongoose . there are several species of mongoose within the range of
according to the university of michigan , human victims may stop breathing just 30 minutes after being bitten by a cobra .
in hinduism shiva is depicted meditating with a cobra around his neck and vishnu rests on the cosmic cobra ananta while dreaming the universe into being ; in buddhism the image of a five - headed cobra or naga is often seen sheltering the buddha as he attained enlightenment and in tibet , cobras symbolise the rainbow as a connecting link between heaven and earth .
the egyptian cobra can also be found in captivity at zoos both in and outside of the snake’s natural range . the
like most cobra species it has an average life span of 20 years ( one specimen lived for 28 years ) .
when threatened , a forest cobra expands its hood and lifts the front of its body far off of the ground to appear larger . they are able to strike very quickly , with great distance . if the snake feels further threatened after these defensive postures , it will make an effort to bite . for these reasons ,
the indian cobra eats rats and mice that carry disease and eat human food . also , cobra venom is a potential source of medicines , including anti - cancer drugs and pain - killers . ( discovery , 2000 ; burton , 1991 )
excluding the associated subspecies there are currently 28 species of snake belonging to the genus naja . this may came as a surprise to many of you but the king cobra is taxonomically speaking no more of a cobra than is a black mamba .
the red spitting cobra is a medium - sized cobra that may reach a length of up to 4 feet . originally , it was thought to be a subspecies of the mozambique spitting cobra , but is now considered its own species . it is favored by venomous snake keepers due to its coloration , which is typically a salmon to red color with black banding .
at about 8 feet in length , the egyptian cobra ( n . haje ) is the second - largest cobra species on the african continent , after the forest cobra ( discussed next ) . egyptian cobras range across most of northern africa , in the northern saraha , through the savannahs of west africa to the southern sahara , south to the congo basin and east to kenya and tanzania . specimens may also be found in southern areas of the arabian peninsula . the species thrives in savannah and arid semi - desert regions of africa where some water and vegetation is available .
predominantly a forest - dwelling species , the king cobra occurs in rainforest , bamboo thickets and mangrove swamps , as well as other habitats with dense undergrowth and heavy rainfall ( 3 ) ( 7 ) . it is known to occur from sea level to mountainous regions , at elevations of over 2 , 000 metres ( 3 ) .
the king cobra is also harvested for its meat , skin and bile which are used in traditional medicine ( 7 ) .
i hope that you have enjoyed this guide to cobra snake facts . if you have ever seen a cobra or have a favourite from the list below i’d love to hear from you ! if you have a favourite don’t forget to tell us why 🙂
more than 34 stories of venomous snakebite and very near misses from southeast asia’s most deadly snakes – king cobra , malayan pit viper , monocled cobra , banded krait , malayan krait , and more ! digital book with over 100 pages by vern lovic .
meaning that it only eats plants and other vegetation . they predominantly eat leaves and fruit from trees , herbs and low - lying shrubs . however , the front pair of molars in the mouth of the african forest
this cobra is terrestrial but is a good climber . it is generally active at night but sometimes during the day as well .
the king cobra bite is the most powerful bite in kilograms per square inch of bite pressure – of any venomous snake in the world . this was tested by luke yeomans in the united kingdom before he passed away – of king cobra bite and envenomation .
morphologically , the king cobra has a larger head and more narrow hood compared to other cobra species . a key to identifying them is the presence of a pair of large scales , known as occipitals , located at the back of the top of the head . these are behind the usual “nine - plate” arrangement typical of colubrids and elapids , and are unique to the king cobra .
for living environment , forest cobras are found in a multitude of habitat types . they can adjust swiftly to diverse surroundings , and as such inhabit damp savannas , thickets , rainforests , lowland forests , rivers , wetlands , plantations , streams , grasslands and coastal locales . forest cobras can reside at heights of more than 9 , 000 feet . they are rapid , nimble snakes and are swift whether they ' re within trees or on the ground .
but it was nonetheless a major milestone as cobsy is the oldest known black - lipped cobra living at a zoo in the world .
the black - necked spitting cobra generally prefers open savanna but can be found in all types of terrestrial habitat , including urban areas .
there is some disagreement about what exactly a cobra is , and the number of cobra species ranges from 28 to about 270 depending on how a cobra is defined . genetically , “true” cobras are members of the genus naja , but according to viernum , often “the name cobra references several species of snakes , most of which are in the venomous snake family elapidae . elpididae includes other snakes like coral snakes , kraits and mambas . ” many of these snakes either possess hoods or the ability to raise the upper part of their body .
another interesting bit of information is that the king cobra is said to be able to see as far as 100 meters during daylight .
this cobra species has a highly dangerous neurotoxic venom , it is however responsible for very few bites and there is an antivenom available .
despite its armoury , the king cobra’s instinctive response to humans is to flee . but they seem to find other animals less intimidating . one old report from burma described a cobra biting a full - grown elephant on the trunk ; the pachyderm died several hours later .
if you happen to have a fear of snakes , take time to say thanks to the king cobra—it’ll eat those snakes for dinner .
forest cobras are frequently found near water , mainly rivers or streams , particularly in otherwise dry habitats such as savannas and grasslands . the snake can also live around human developments , and is encountered in the trees of fruit plantations .
the highly venomous egyptian cobra is extremely dangerous , their venom contains primarily neurotoxins as well as cytotoxins . in a single bite , these cobra snakes can inject anywhere from 175 to 300 mg , with a subcutaneous ld50 value in mice of 1 . 15 mg / kg .
the king cobra is one of the only snake species to construct a nest , which is made of dead vegetation and soil . bamboo thickets
king cobra juvenile , hatchling snake found in krabi , thailand . this snake is less than one month old , hatched from an egg .
thanks to robert abrams for permission to post this photo of a king cobra which washed over a waterfall while he was swimming . amazing thailand .
the king cobra is the world’s largest venomous snake – and a ruthless snake - hunter . but it is also a devoted parent . . .
regarded as one of the most dangerous species in all of africa , the cape cobra ( n . nivea ) is a golden brown / black to yellow - colored cobra species that primarily inhabits southern africa , particularly the countries of south africa , namibia , lesothos , and part of botswana . it has one of the smallest geographic distributions of all the african cobra species . it is a medium - sized cobra measuring approximately 4 to 5 feet in length . the cape cobra is considered the most dangerous of the africian species because it ventures into human - inhabited areas to escape the heat or seek prey items . this increases the species’ interactions with humans . other than humans , its main predators include the honey badger , meerkat , and the mongoose , all of which are thought to have evolved a resistance or decreased sensitivity to the cape cobra’s predominately neurotoxic and cardiotoxic venom .
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the egyptian cobra is one of the largest cobras of the african continent . the head is large and depressed and slightly distinct from the neck . the neck of this species has long cervical ribs capable of expanding to form a hood , like all other cobras . the snout of the egyptian cobra is moderately broad and rounded . the eyes are quite big with round pupils . the body of the egyptian cobra is cylindrical and stout with a long tail . the length of the egyptian cobra is largely dependent on subspecies , geographical locale , and population . the average length of this species is between
adult indian cobras measure about 4 to 7 feet in length and feed primarily on rodents . individuals are often encountered in villages because of the associated abundant prey items , although the cobra’s natural habitat includes open fields , forest edges , agricultural land and wetlands . the indian cobra is the species typically used by snake charmers in india . in hindu mythology , it is considered a powerful god , and it remains greatly respected and feared in hindu culture . rudyard kipling featured a pair of indian cobras in his famous short story rikki - tikki - tavi .
colors vary widely from species to species . there are red , yellow , black , mottled , banded and many other colors and patterns of cobra .
the egyptian cobra has grown in popularity among herpetoculturists in the west and is now frequently bred in captivity and readily available in the exotic pet trade .
while the king cobra’s venom is not as toxic as that of some highly venomous species , the sheer volume produced in a single bite is enough to kill 20 to 30 adult humans or a fully - grown asian elephant ( 3 ) ( 8 ) . nevertheless , as this species is generally non - aggressive and occupies deep forest , bites to humans and the resulting fatalities are rare ( 2 ) .
sources : 1 . african forest elephant classification ( date unknown ) available at : [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ] 2 . african forest elephant conservation ( date unknown ) available at : [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ] 3 . african forest elephant habitat ( date unknown ) available at : [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ] 4 . african forest elephant information ( date unknown ) available at : [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ] 5 . african forest elephant threats ( date unknown ) available at : [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ] 6 . david burnie , dorling kindersley ( 2008 ) illustrated encyclopedia of animals [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ] 7 . david burnie , kingfisher ( 2011 ) the kingfisher animal encyclopedia [ accessed at : 01 jan 2011 ] 8 . david w . macdonald , oxford university press ( 2010 ) the encyclopedia of mammals [ accessed at : 01 jan 2010 ] 9 . dorling kindersley ( 2006 ) dorling kindersley encyclopedia of animals [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ] 10 . richard mackay , university of california press ( 2009 ) the atlas of endangered species [ accessed at : 01 jan 2009 ] 11 . tom jackson , lorenz books ( 2007 ) the world encyclopedia of animals [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ]
tryon , bw . ( 15 november 1979 ) .
reproduction in captive forest cobras , naja melanoleuca ( serpentes : elapidae )
. journal of herpetology ( society for the study of amphibians and reptiles ) 13 ( 4 ) : 499 . jstor 1563487 .
in thai language , it sounds like ngoo how chang ( literally “snake cobra elephant” , or ngoo chong ahng . there are many names for this snake .
forest cobras hail from africa - - specifically the central portion of the continent and then further south . their geographic grounds are made up of nations such as uganda , south africa , angola , mozambique , congo , the central african republic and cameroon , among others .
just then , a deep growl emanated from the bushes . i looked up and towering above me was a king cobra , its golden hood afire in the evening light , its eyes pinned on me . i let go of its tail , but instead of attacking me , the cobra streaked off through the undergrowth .
what makes a king cobra scary is its size – males can reach over five metres long – and its venom . it has huge toxin glands in its ‘cheeks’ and can inject up to 7ml at a time ( though , drop for drop , its venom is less toxic than that of a common cobra ) .
the king cobra is classified as vulnerable ( vu ) on the iucn red list ( 1 ) and is listed on appendix ii of cites ( 3 ) .
mackay , n . , j . ferguson , g . mcnicol . 1969 . effects of three cobra venoms on blood coagulation , platelet aggregation , and fibrinolysis .
recently tom charlton and i found a 3 - meter king cobra in krabi and got some great shots and video of it . facebook photo of it here .
informed the public that their reptile house was closed after a venomous adolescent female banded egyptian cobra was discovered missing from its off - exhibit enclosure on march 25 .
i raced after the fleeing serpent , and grabbed its tail a second time . the cobra swung around and charged at me open - mouthed . using a stick to keep the snake at bay , i managed to pull my sleeping bag out of my rucksack and prop it open . the cobra saw the dark hole as an escape route and slid inside . this was my very first encounter with a wild king cobra and i can still feel that adrenalin rush 30 years later .
due to the legend that states that cleopatra committed suicide by being bitten by an egyptian cobra . she probably chose this snake for its quick - acting venom .
finding a king cobra comes down to just two things . persistence , and luck . that’s it really . you can try to go out during daytime hours , or limited daytime hours . you can go out early evenings only . you can target patches of bamboo . you can go out during mating season . you can go out in areas where they are known to have been previously . you can rub captive king cobra feces all over your pants and walk around the forest . to my knowledge , it is only people who are persistent and who get lucky , that will find king cobras .
habitat tropical and subtropical rainforest and formerly forested regions , but restricted to more open savanna forest near the coast in southern africa . usually found in the vicinity of water in dryer regions . persists in and around inhabited areas , particularly many central african towns and formerly forested regions .
has a very small distribution only being found in the following areas north east kwazulu - natal , southern mozambique and on the east zimbabwe border . its preferred habitat is lowland forest or costal savanna thickets . it is common to find these snakes both in trees and small shrubs .
but what about the black mamba ( dendroaspis polylepis ) then ? look closely – it also has the ability to spread a small hood . is it a cobra ?
the monocled cobra ( naja kaouthia ) is one of the most readily recognized cobra species because of the unique , o - shaped pattern on its dorsal hood . its range extends from southeast to southern asia , including india , china , vietnam , cambodia , malaysia , bangladesh , thailand ( where they are responsible for the greatest number of human fatalities resulting from snake envonmation ) , nepal , laos and myanmar . monocled cobras can inhabit a wide range of habitats , including grassland , forest , scrubland , and in or around human - inhabited areas . often , they are found in agricultural zones such as rice paddies .
by this definition snakes like the king cobra ( ophiophagus hannah ) , the rinkhals ( hemachatus haemachatus ) and the cape coral snake ( aspidelaps lubricus ) are all cobras .
in thai language , it sounds like ngoo chang ang ( งูจงอาง ) ( literally “snake elephant cobra” , or ngoo chong ahng . there are many names for this snake .
young , b . a . ( 1991 ) morphological basis of “growling” in the king cobra , ophiophagus hannah . the journal of experimental zoology , 260 : 275 - 287 .
and although these iconic snakes are quite familiar to us , there is still very little known about them . many so - called cobra snake facts are nothing more than hearsay .
one of the best short king cobra films i’ve been able to shoot is here with my friend , tom charlton as he catches his first king after a decade of trying .
senegal eastward through ivory coast , ghana , nigeria , cameroon , central african republic , gabon , congo , and democratic republic of congo to uganda , kenya , western ethiopia , southern somalia , and tanzania , south to angola and zululand , in forest and savanna regions . also on zanzibar island .
, this cobra is highly adaptable and can be found in drier climates within its geographical range . it is a very capable swimmer and is often considered to be semi - aquatic .
black - lipped cobras are the largest true cobra species native to africa . cobsy measures about 2 . 4m in length , close to the maximum recorded length of 2 . 7m .
the table below shows the 28 species of cobra currently recognised worldwide but excludes any subspecies . ten of the 28 are spitting cobras as can been seen in the ‘common name’ column .
the king cobra ( ophiophagus hannah ) is the longest venomous snake species , with adults ranging from about 8 to 18 feet in length . they may live up to 25 years .
the ancient egyptians worshiped the egyptian cobra or asp and it represented the
fiery eye of re
, so it was used as a symbol on the crown of the pharaohs .
the forest cobra can be found in forests and and shrublands throughout most of sub - saharan africa . countries in which it occurs include : sierra leone , liberia , ghana , togo , benin , nigeria , cameroon , gabon , kenya , uganda , rwanda , burundi , cote d’ivoire , mali , senegal , guinea , the republic of congo , angola , and the central african republic . it is found in only small portions of south africa , but does occur in southern mozambique and eastern zimbabwe .
snakes have appeared strongly in the lore of many cultures as symbols of strength , creativity , cosmic energy and of creation itself . but no snake features more prominently than the iconic cobra .
broadley , d . g . ( 1995 ) the snouted cobra , naja annulifera , a valid species in southern africa . journal of the herpetological association of africa , 44 , 26–32 .
the egyptian cobra gained notoriety in the u . s . in 2011 , when mia , a resident of the bronx zoo , escaped . she was eventually discovered in the reptile house .
king cobra venom is highly toxic and the snake can deliver a considerable amount in a single bite , upwards of 200 to 500 mg of venom . the venom affects the central nervous system , which causes blurred vision , vertigo , drowsiness , and paralysis . it then causes the collapse of the cardiovascular system and eventually respiratory failure . immediate medical treatment is essential to enhance survival from a king cobra snakebite . it is said that death can come to a person bitten by a king cobra within 30 minutes , depending on the amount of venom delivered during the envenomation .
the king cobra is listed on appendix ii of the convention on international trade in endangered species ( cites ) which controls trade through the use of permits and maximum export quotas ( 3 ) .
but there are times when even an alert cobra gets surprised by an unsuspecting person or other large animal . when this happens the first thing you’ll often see is the cobra snake spread a hood ; an impressive display of sign language which , if you read between the lines , clearly states “i’m frightened but don’t test me , i will defend myself if you get too close ! ”
king cobras use their venom to subdue their prey – other snakes . rising up over its intended victim , the king cobra clamps its jaws around the snake’s body and holds it in a suffocating grip until it stops struggling . the cobra’s venom attacks its victim’s nervous system , making its muscles limp . in about 10 minutes , the victim suffocates ; swallowing takes another 10 or 15 minutes .
thais are a bit crazy about cobras – it is the most easily recognized snake , and though i have met few people that can identify other snakes , most know what a cobra looks like .
recently tom charlton wrote the first comprehensive book on the history of king cobras , called “king cobra : natural history and captive management . ” you can contact tom directly at the email address below .
farmers near mangalore witnessed a four - metre - long king cobra subdue and swallow a two - metre - long python , which it went on to digest in a ditch for the following week .
very toxic , but monocled cobras ( naja kaouthia ) and kraits ( genus bungarus ) are more potent on the ld50 scale . the power of the king cobra is in the volume of venom it can inject in one bite – maximum around 7 ml ! kings can ( and have ) supposedly killed elephants with a good bite . more information on venom constituents and treatment for king cobra snakebite here .
the forests of agumbe in karnataka are the wettest and thickest in south india , and excellent snake habitat . i was walking along a forest path when i saw a black snake tail disappear into some bushes . “rat snake ! ” i thought , and dived for it , bruising knees and elbows as my fingers wrapped around its smooth skin .
can be quick to strike in response to sudden movements . the tongue is also used to search for and pick up scent molecules in the air . the molecules are then brought into the mouth and analyzed inside the jacobson’s organ , which is located at the base of the nasal cavity . through this process , forest cobras can detect the scent of nearby prey or pheromones secreted by the opposite sex . while snakes lack an external ear , they are able to detect vibrations ranging from 50 to 1000 hz . when the snake is on the ground , sound waves travel via spinal nerves to the jaw muscle , where it is then transferred to the quadrate bone . the stapes ( or columella ) then transmits the vibrations to the inner ear . when threatened , the forest cobra will perform a defensive display typical of its genus . it will extend its hood and rear up its body .
they don’t . not like spitting cobras spit venom . however , if your face is close to one , and the king cobra strikes , you may feel venom hit your face as it leaks out .
forest cobras tend to weigh between 5 and 8 pounds , they measure 6 to 8 feet . the arboreal meat - eating reptiles have broad , flesh - based diets ; some of their typical prey include fellow fish , rodents , birds , frogs and other reptiles . in captivity , they generally eat rats . these venomous snakes employ neurotoxins to paralyze their targeted meals . when forest cobras live in captive settings like zoos , they can live for as long as 18 years . they lead independent , rather than companionable , lifestyles . they are highly aquatic . in times of breeding , the females of the species produce between 15 and 26 eggs . they are oviparous , and their eggs hatch externally .
the indian cobra feeds on rodents , lizards and frogs . it bites quickly , and then waits while its venom damages the nervous system of the prey , paralyzing and often killing it . like all snakes ,
the king cobra has a large range , extending from india , east to bangladesh , myanmar , cambodia , southern china , laos , thailand , vietnam , malaysia , indonesia and the philippines ( 5 ) .
to learn more about this fascinating genus of snakes , i have put together this article to dispel some myths and set the cobra snake facts straight . i hope you learn something new , i certainly did .
in egypt the cobra goddess wadjet , the celestial serpent , was seen as the giver of food and immortality and at an even deeper level may have represented mother earth ; the symbol , known as uraeus , is a stylised upright version of the egyptian cobra naja haje ( see table at the end of this post ) which was also indicated in the suicidal death of cleopatra and represents royalty , deity and divine authority .
in contrast to the normal hissing sound produced by most snake species in response to threats , the king cobra makes a distinctive growl , which emanates from the throat and deepens as the snake grows ( 6 ) .
the longest of all living venomous snakes , the magnificent king cobra ( ophiophagus hannah ) has been the inspiration for a variety of myths and legends within its native range ( 3 ) ( 4 ) . this species is not a true cobra of the genus naja , and instead belongs to a unique genus ophiophagus , whose scientific name derives from the greek for “snake - eating” , in reference to its dietary habits ( 5 ) .
the most well - known snake enemy is the mongoose – its lightning speed ( watch the video to see this ) allows it to quickly bite the back of a cobra’s neck and head before it can defend itself .
the king cobra ' s average size is 10 - 12 feet , but can reach 18 feet . the full grown king cobra is yellow , green , brown , or black . there are usually yellowish or white cross - bars or chevrons on its body . the belly may be uniform in color or ornamented with bars . the throat is light yellow or cream - colored . the juveniles are jet - black , with yellow or white cross - bars on the body and tail and four similar cross - bars on the head . the king cobra is regarded as a fierce and aggressive snake , and its length and size give it an awesome appearance .


the wire-tailed swallow ( hirundo smithii ) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family .

it has two subspecies : h. s. smithii , which occurs throughout africa , and h. s. filifera , which is found in southern and southeastern asia .

the genus name hirundo is the latin word for swallow .

the species name smithii commemorates christen smith , a norwegian botanist and geologist .

wire - tailed swallow

the preferred habitats for wire - tailed swallow are : woodlands and grasslands . the wire - tailed swallow is also at home in wetland areas .
wire - tailed swallow at its nest , south africa . [ photo neil gray © ]
wire - tailed swallow pair in courtship display , tanzania . [ photo martin goodey © ]
wire - tailed swallow ( hirundo smithii fam . hirundinidae ) kruger park birds & birding .
the wire - tailed swallow is neither endemic or near endemic to the kruger national park .
in terms of distribution of the wire - tailed swallow in the kruger national park you may not see it in all areas . wire - tailed swallow : see above distribution map .
museum specimens indicate historical distributions . the map below shows locations from which museum specimens of wire - tailed swallow were collected . you can see more information on the individual museum specimens of wire - tailed swallow here .
wire - tailed swallow : this soundscape contains sharp discontinuous calls by swallow and loud bg calls by red - wattled lapwing and coppersmith barbet .
wire - tailed swallows measure 5 . 6 inches or 14 cm in length .
wire - tailed swallow ( hirundo smithii ) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family . kruger national park , mpumalanga province , south africa .
unlike many other swallow species , which nest in colonies - the wire - tailed swallows are solitary and territorial nesters .
the wire - tailed swallows ( hirundo smithii ) are swallows found in africa and asia .
the wire - tailed swallow ( latin name hirundo smithii ) is described in roberts birds of southern africa , 7th edition . this bird has a unique roberts number of 522 and you will find a full description of this bird on page 751 also a picture of the wire - tailed swallow on page 816 . the wire - tailed swallow belongs to the family of birds classified as hirundinidae .
wire - tailed swallows mostly feed on insects ( particularly flies ) , often caught in flight .
orn . white - tailed swallow [ hirundo megaensis , syn . : h . magaensis ]
the wire - tailed swallow is monogamous unless its mate dies . in the event of a partner dying hirundo smithii will seek out a new mate
the wire - tailed swallow is classified as least concern . does not qualify for a more at risk category . widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category .
the wire - tailed swallow ( hirundo smithii ) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family . swallows are somewhat similar in habits and appearance to other aerial insectivores , such as the related martins and the unrelated swifts ( order apodiformes
the wire - tailed swallow is a small passerine bird in the swallow family . swallows are somewhat similar in habits and appearance to other aerial insectivores . the populations in northern india migrate further south in winter . this bird is found in open country near water and human habitation . wire - tailed swallows are fast flyers and they generally feed on insects , especially flies , while airborne . more
picture of the wire - tailed swallow on page 816 . the wire - tailed swallow belongs to the family of birds classified as hirundinidae . the map of the kruger you see on this page shows the areas ( coloured orange ) where this bird has been identified . the basic information was provided by the avian demographic unit based at uct and i created the maps from that information . . . more
the wire - tailed swallow ( hirundo smithii ) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family . swallows are somewhat similar in habits and appearance to other aerial insectivores , such as the related martins and the unrelated swifts ( order apodiformes ) . wire - tailed swallow breeds in africa south of the sahara and in tropical southern asia from the indian subcontinent east to southeast asia . it is mainly resident , but populations in pakistan and northern india migrate further south in winter .
the wire - tailed swallow ( hirundo smithii ) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family . swallows are somewhat similar in habits and appearance to other aerial insectivores , such as the related martins and the unrelated swifts ( order apodiformes ) . wire - tailed swallow breeds in africa south of the sahara and in tropical southern asia from the indian subcontinent east to southeast asia . it is mainly resident , but populations in pakistan and northern india migrate further south in winter . more
wire - tailed swallow breeds in africa south of the sahara and in tropical southern asia from the indian subcontinent east to southeast asia . it is mainly resident , but populations in pakistan and northern india migrate further south in winter .
an adult male perched on an electric wire , preening and stretching wings and tail .
one of the first indicators to take note of when trying to identify a bird is it relative size . for example how big is the bird compared to a well known familiar bird . the wire - tailed swallow is a small bird about the size of a house sparrow . do not take this relative indicator as anything other than a rough easy to remember indicator . it is not a accurate visualization . the height of the wire - tailed swallow is about 14 cms and its weight is about 13 gms
* wire - tailed swallow ( hirundo smithii ) pair mating on a wire . mahad , raigad district , konkan division , maharashtra , india ( ssp filifera ) ryan brookes 3 september 2008 28 weeks ago 3 * an adult looking at a raptor chobe national park , botswana ( ssp smithii ) laurent demongin 30 september 2004 1 year ago 2 . more
orn . red - rumped swallow [ cecropis daurica , syn . : hirundo daurica ]
streak - throated swallow : nesting under the balcony overhang , on a busy road .
any of these swallow species would be a welcome guest in a birder ' s backyard , but those yards need to be swallow - friendly before the birds feel at home .
picture of the wire - tailed swallow has been licensed under a creative commons attribution - share alike . original source : originally posted to flickr as wire - tailed swallow adult ( hirundo smithii ) author : lip kee yappermission ( reusing this file ) this image , which was originally posted to flickr . com , was uploaded to commons using flickr upload bot on 05 : 08 , 20 november 2008 ( utc ) by jerryfriedman ( talk ) . on that date it was licensed under the license below . this file is licensed under the creative commons attribution - share alike 2 . 0 generic license . you are free : to share – to copy , distribute and transmit the work
in uttarakhand , it is common to see swallow nests ( barn swallows there ) in shops and porches and inside of homes - usually on the wall above an incandescent light bulb . the people believe that the swallows bring them luck . they also leave a window open at all times to allow free movement of the birds into their shops and homes . its the first time i am seeing nests of wire - tailed swallows in peoples homes in the plains - this nest was at the joint of wall and ceiling in the porch . the house - owners are also happy that the birds are nesting in their home . wire - tailed swallow nests have usually been seen under bridges , near water etc . - ss
distribution of wire - tailed swallow in southern africa , based on statistical smoothing of the records from first sa bird atlas project ( © animal demography unit , university of cape town ; smoothing by birgit erni and francesca little ) . colours range from dark blue ( most common ) through to yellow ( least common ) . see here for the latest distribution from the sabap2 .
putting up wires or a wire antenna high across the yard or roof to provide additional perches with good visibility for birds and birders alike .
streak - throated swallow : a large group nesting under the balcony overhang , on a busy road - 2 .
turner , a . ( 2018 ) . wire - tailed swallow ( hirundo smithii ) . in : del hoyo , j . , elliott , a . , sargatal , j . , christie , d . a . & de juana , e . ( eds . ) . handbook of the birds of the world alive . lynx edicions , barcelona . ( retrieved from urltoken on 9 july 2018 ) .
swallow is the common name for various small , swift - flying passerine birds in the family hirundinidae , characterized by long , pointed , narrow wings , a short bill , a typically notched or forked tail , and the ability to aerial feed , capturing insects on the wing . some birds in the family have the common name of martin . while the name
martin
tends to be used for the squarer - tailed species , and the name
swallow
for the more fork - tailed species , there is no scientific distinction between these two groups . a few other species in hirundinidae , comprising the genus psalidoprocne , have the common name of saw - wing . in europe , the name swallow is used colloquially as a synonym for the barn swallow .
streak throated swallows ( petrochelidon fluvicola ) are one of the four species of swallow birds found in madhya pradesh , indentified as 11 cm compact birds with chestnut crowns and brown streaks down the throat to breast and dirty off - white under parts . the juveniles look similar to wire tailed swallow juv . and can be only differentiated from their striped and non striped throats respectively . the birds are commonly seen in the open country , near water bodies , canals , rivers or lakes where they can easily find their food of insects and clay for building nests . swallows are found in big flocks and have an appealing nesting behavior , commonly called as swallow congregations .
i specially like this spot on lake pichola where i took pictures of asian openbill stork , river tern , pied kingfisher and wire tailed swallows . the birds are used to the vehicles passing by , so they don ' t fly away when you stop your car near them . its a pleasurable place to be in the mornings .
distribution of wire - tailed swallow in southern africa , based on statistical smoothing of the records from first sa bird atlas project ( © animal demography unit , university of cape town ; smoothing by birgit erni and francesca little ) . colours range from dark blue ( most common ) through to yellow ( least common ) . see here for the latest distribution from the sabap2 . movements and migrations little known , but it is thought be resident throughout its southern african range . more
the wire - tailed swallow is situated in the corner of a beautiful garden . the room consists of twin beds , a small patio and full bathroom . the room has a tv with 22 dstv channels , a fan , heater & electric blankets . tea / coffee - making facilities are available and coffee , tea , milk and sugar provided . guests can make use of a communal fridge & microwave at the lapa / braai areas . a maximum of two guests can be accommodated in this unit .
streak throated swallow - nesting site on the underside of a river bridge , waded by over hundred swallows . the picture was taken on the road towards kanha , madhya pradesh .
species of swallow and martin that are threatened with extinction are generally endangered due to habitat loss . this is presumed to be the reason behind the decline of the critically endangered white - eyed river martin , a species that is only known from a few specimens collected in thailand . the species presumably breeds in riverbanks , a much diminished habitat in se asia . two insular species , the bahama swallow and golden swallow , have declined due to forest loss and also competition with introduced species such as starlings and sparrows , which compete with these swallows for nesting sites .
even in the most swallow - friendly backyard , it can be difficult to attract these specialized birds on a regular basis . if you want to attract swallows but are having difficulty , consider :
tarburton , m . k . 1993 . a comparison of the breeding biology of the welcome swallow in australia and recently colonized new zealand . emu 93 ( 1 ) : 34 - 43 .
snapp , b . 1976 . colonial breeding in the barn swallow ( hirundo rustica ) and its adaptive significance . the condor 78 ( 4 ) : 471 - 480 . retrieved november 18 , 2008 .
the streak throated swallow , is found across india . it can be identified with its chestnut color head , broad tail with a small fork and heavily streaked throat , neck and breast . the under parts are off white .
some species , like the mangrove swallow , are territorial , whereas others are not and simply defend their nesting site . in general , the males select a nest site , and then attract a female using song and flight , and ( dependent on the species ) guard their territory . the size of the territory varies depending on the species of swallow ; in colonial - nesting species , it tends to be small , but it may be much larger for solitary nesters .
hirundinids are small to medium - sized passerines . the smallest , such as the white - thighed swallow , weigh about 10 g and the largest new world martins over 60 g . they are all specialist aerial insectivores , . . .
the swallows have a worldwide cosmopolitan distribution , occurring on every continent except antarctica . one species , the pacific swallow , occurs as a breeding bird on a number of oceanic islands in the pacific ocean , and a number of migratory species are common vagrants to other isolated islands and even to some sub - antarctic islands . many species have enormous worldwide ranges , particularly the barn swallow , which breeds over most of the northern hemisphere and winters over most of the southern hemisphere .
bijlsma , r . , and b . van den brink . 2003 . a barn swallow hirundo rustica roost under attack : timing and risks in the presence of african hobbies falco cuvieri . ardea 93 ( 1 ) : 37 - 48 . retrieved november 18 , 2008 .
in addition to insect prey , a number of species will occasionally consume fruits and other plant matter . species in africa have been recorded eating the seeds of acacia trees , and these are even fed to the young of the greater striped swallow ( underhill and hofmeyr 2007 ; turner 2004 ) .
where several species of swallow feed together , they will be separated into different niches based on height off the ground , some species feeding closer to the ground whereas other feeding at higher levels . similar separation occurs where feeding overlaps with swifts . niche separation may also occur with the size of prey chosen .
hirundines have a long association with humans , some species having nested on artificial sites for hundreds or , in some cases , even thousands of years . there are danish subfossil finds 5000 years old from neolithic flint mines , and the roman poet virgil wrote of a swallow , presumably the barn . . .
the majority of hirundines are not very social in the breeding season , when they nest solitarily or in loose groups , and forage alone or in pairs or small flocks . some , such as the mangrove swallow , are highly territorial , feeding mainly in their own large territory , but many species defend . . .
as with feeding habits , knowledge of the breeding biology of many species of hirundine is scanty . on the other hand , a few members of the family , especially the barn and cliff swallows , the tree swallow and the purple martin , have become model species for scientific study over the last few . . .
many cave , bank , and cliff dwelling species of swallow nest in large colonies . birds living in large colonies typically have to contend with both ectoparasites and conspecific nest parasitism ( brown and brown 1986 ; brown 1984 ) . old males benefit most from coloniality , since they are able to maintain their own nests and benefit from frequent extra - pair copulations .
sexes alike . glistening steel - blue above ; chestnut cap ; unmarked , pure white underbody distinctive ; two long , wire - like projections ( tail - wires ) from outer tail feathers diagnostic . solitary or small parties ; almost always seen around water , either perched on overhead wires or hawking insects in graceful , acrobatic flight , swooping and banking ; often flies very low , drinking from the surface ; roosts in reed beds and other vegetation , often with warblers and wagtails .
the breeding of temperate species is seasonal , whereas that of subtropical or tropical species can either be continuous throughout the year or seasonal . seasonal species in the subtropics or tropics are usually timed to coincide with the peaks in insect activity , which is usually the wet season , but some species like the white - throated blue swallow nest in the dry season to avoid flooding in their riverbank nesting habitat ( turner 2004 ) .
the eggs of swallows tend to be white , although those of some mud - nesters are speckled . the average clutch size is around four to five eggs in temperate areas and two to three eggs in the tropics . incubation stints last for 5 to 15 minutes and are followed by bursts of feeding activity . from laying , swallow eggs take between 10 to 21 days to hatch , with 14 to 18 days being more typical .
nesting sites : many types of swallows , swifts , and martins are cavity - nesting birds , and they will readily nest in birdhouses or specialized gourds . leaving dead trees with old woodpecker holes intact will provide additional nesting sites . some swallow species , such as barn swallows , will build their cup - shaped nests in sheltered areas under eaves on porches and decks or along roof lines . a muddy puddle – perhaps under a gutter downspout or in a sheltered location in the yard – will provide good nesting material to encourage the birds to raise their families in the neighborhood .
the incubation duties are shared between females and males in some species ; in others the eggs are incubated solely by the females . among the species where the male helps with incubation , the contribution varies among species , with some species like the cliff swallow sharing the duties equally and the female doing most of the work in others . among the barn swallows , the male of the american subspecies helps ( to a small extent ) whereas the european subspecies does not . even in species where the male does not incubate the eggs , the male may sit on them when the female is away to reduce heat loss .
the family uses a wide range of habitats . they are dependent on flying insects , and as these are common over waterways and lakes , they will frequently feed over these , but they can be found in any open habitat including grasslands , open woodland , savanna , marshes , mangroves and scrubland , from sea level to high alpine areas ( turner 2004 ) . many species inhabit human - altered landscapes including agricultural land and even urban areas . land use changes have also caused some species to expand their range , most impressively the welcome swallow which began to colonize new zealand in the 1920s , started breeding there in the 1950s , and is now a common land bird there ( tarburton 1993 ) .
because of the readiness with which some species nest in and around human settlements and buildings , people have had a long experience with swallows and many myths and legends have arisen as a consequence ( turner 2004 ) . the migratory habits of the european species have led to an association with spring , as recorded in the proverb
one swallow does not make a summer .
they have also been incorporated into religious stories , in part because of their arrival in europe around the time of easter , and apocryphal stories place them at the crucifixion of jesus , either trying to distract those sent to arrest jesus in the garden or to comfort jesus on the cross . they are also mentioned in the koran attacking christians who were attacking mecca . older legends have it that athene turned into one in order to flee danger .
with the open country for birds being quickly replaced with houses and buildings everywhere these birds have retorted to our kitchen gardens , where they feed on small insects and nest around houses . swallow nesting is considered ‘pests’ due to its gregarious behavior and limiting access of humans to their own garages or kitchen gardens . swallows can be very protective for the young ones and refuse to vacate even after repeated attempts . once the nest is built , the bird also tends to return at the same site every time for breeding and nesting . the solution lies in preserving their habitat of lakes , rivers and ponds around the agricultural land . if possible allow them a small corner around the house , warehouse etc . swallows can easily gain attention and help in clearing insects and small crop pests , in lieu of the space it needs to raise the young !
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del hoyo , j . , collar , n . j . , christie , d . a . , elliott , a . , fishpool , l . d . c . , boesman , p . and kirwan , g . m . 2016 . hbw and birdlife international illustrated checklist of the birds of the world . volume 2 : passerines . lynx edicions and birdlife international , barcelona , spain and cambridge , uk .
justification : this species has an extremely large range , and hence does not approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the range size criterion ( extent of occurrence < 20 , 000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size , habitat extent / quality , or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation ) . the population trend appears to be increasing , and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the population trend criterion ( > 30 % decline over ten years or three generations ) . the population size has not been quantified , but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the population size criterion ( < 10 , 000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be > 10 % in ten years or three generations , or with a specified population structure ) . for these reasons the species is evaluated as least concern .
the global population size has not been quantified , but the species is reported to be common in africa , common in pakistan and locally common in india ( grimmett , inskipp and inskipp , keith et al . 1992 ) . trend justification : the population is estimated to be increasing following recorded range expansions ( del hoyo et al . 2004 ) .
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leach , 1818 – sub - saharan africa from senegal , s mali and c ivory coast e to c & se sudan , south sudan , ethiopia and somalia , and s ( outside c rainforest zone ) to n namibia , n botswana and ne south africa .
stephens , 1826 – breeding visitor to s uzbekistan , s tajikistan , afghanistan , n pakistan and nw india ; resident in se pakistan , most of india , sw nepal , myanmar , n thailand , laos , cambodia and c vietnam .
14–21 cm ; 9–17 g . distinctive . has forehead and crown rufous - chestnut , upperparts glossy blue ; wings and tail black with blue gloss , white patches on inner webs . . .
grassland , savanna , open woodland , clearings , cultivation , also human habitations , including towns . . .
diet includes flies ( diptera ) , beetles ( coleoptera ) , bugs ( hemiptera ) , butterflies and moths ( lepidoptera ) , mayflies ( ephemeroptera ) , . . .
generally two peaks , at start of rains , e . g . jan–may and jul–dec in senegal , all year ( peaks jan–mar and jul–aug ) . . .
in africa , resident near nest - site in some areas , e . g . in gambia , central african republic and w . . .
not globally threatened . varies from uncommon to locally abundant . uncommon in w africa , common and more widespread in e , common to locally very common in s ; common to . . .
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it is present in lucknow throughout the year and is therefore resident . not a breeding visitor as shown in the map . lucknow is the capital of uttar pradesh state and falls in the gangetic plains of india
they had adapted to human created structures . they roost on powerlines ranging from dozen to several hundreds sometimes in mixed flocks with other swallows . they also roost and build nests inside covered irrigation canals and aqueducts .
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has often been considered to include any or all of petrochelidon , cecropis and ptyonoprogne .
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an adult bird perched in a tree yawning , rubbing the bill and flying off .
josep del hoyo , ram gopal soni , alok tewari , greg baker , doug and denise norris , chandrahas kolhatkar , yoël jimenez , ghislain gosse , eldert groenewoud , drshaileshdarjimd , keith and lynn youngs , jean hupperetz , trheijnen .
shantilal varu , josep del hoyo , éric roualet , holger teichmann , lars petersson , alok tewari , jeel bharat patel , paul van giersbergen , vishalchouk , ssshams , guy poisson , siddhartha , tom dudones , mayur patel , vaibhav mishra , eduardo de juana , ragoo rao , shivam tiwari , vasanthan . p . j , sharad , raymond marsh , james reed , paul cools , lmarce , joggels , nick athanas , juan josé bazán hiraldo , nik borrow , frédéric pelsy , martin främke , jayant atrey , luis g . restrepo , james kashangaki , ken havard , trheijnen , arthur grosset , neenad abhang , stefan helming , john a thompson , akshay jadhav , rrthakar , markus lilje , ram gopal soni , robert erasmus , marco valentini , kishoreraghav , david beadle , morten venas , bruno schmetz , lutz duerselen , laurent demongin , mauriravasini , ryan brookes , chrisjohnson , jugal tiwari , stanislav harvančík , gilgit2 , paleasi , anup sharma , jordi sargatal , dave jackson .
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this species has an extremely large range , and hence does not approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the range size criterion ( extent of occurrence < 20 , 000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size , habitat extent / quality , or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation ) . the population trend appears to be increasing , and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the population trend criterion ( > 30 % decline over ten years or three generations ) . the population size has not been quantified , but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the population size criterion ( < 10 , 000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be > 10 % in ten years or three generations , or with a specified population structure ) . for these reasons the species is evaluated as least concern .
recommended citation birdlife international ( 2018 ) species factsheet : hirundo smithii . downloaded from urltoken on 09 / 07 / 2018 . recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species : birdlife international ( 2018 ) iucn red list for birds . downloaded from urltoken on 09 / 07 / 2018 .
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occurs across much of asia and sub - saharan africa , absent from the lowland forest of west africa and the drc . in southern africa it is locally common in the extreme north of namibia , northern botswana , zimbabwe , central and southern mozambique , swaziland and eastern limpopo province , mpumalanga and kwazulu - natal .
little known , but it is thought be resident throughout its southern african range .
hawks aerial insects often in flocks with swallows , such as grey - rumped ( pseudhirundo griseopyga ) and lesser striped ( hirundo abyssinica ) swallows . the following food items have been recorded in its diet :
monogamous , solitary nester , with the pair bond lasting for the whole breeding season and probably for life .
the nest ( see image below ) is built by both sexes in about a week , consisting of a flat open cup built of mud pellets and lined with stems , grass and feathers . it is typically placed in an artificial site , such as near the roof of a veranda , on a wooden cross beam , inside a water tower , under a bridge or even on a boat . the same site is used repeatedly over multiple seasons ; before laying the eggs the original structure is repaired
egg - laying season is year - round , peaking from august - december and february - april .
it lays 2 - 4 eggs , which are incubated solely by the female for 14 - 19 days . in one study the eggs where incubated for 43 - 66 % of the day .
the chicks are brooded by the female for the first few days of their lives after which the male sometimes helps out . they are fed regularly by both sexes , leaving the nest after 15 - 24 days . the fledglings still roost in the nest for at least 3 - 4 weeks , possibly until the next clutch is laid .
not threatened , in fact its range has benefited from the introduction of man - made nest sites .
hockey par , dean wrj and ryan pg 2005 . roberts - birds of southern africa , viith ed . the trustees of the john voelcker bird book fund , cape town .
harrison , j . a . , allan , d . g . , underhill , l . g . , herremans , m . , tree . a . j . , parker , v . & brown , c . j . ( eds ) . 1997 . the atlas of southern african birds . vol . 2 : passerines . birdlife south africa , johannesburg .
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bot . monkey apple [ nz ] [ syzygium smithii , syn . : acmena smithii ] [ lilly - pilly ]
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their common name is derived from their very long , fine outer tail feathers which trail behind like two wires ; and their scientific name honors professor chetien smith , a norwegian botanist , who was a member of the expedition that discovered this species .
the african race is widespread south of the sahara , except for their range extending further along the nile , and they are not found in the western equatorial lowland forests .
in southern asia , they are found from tadzhikistan , afghanistan and northern pakistan through india to burma as well as northwestern and northeastern thailand , laos and central vietnam .
they are mostly resident ( non - migratory ) , except for some populations in pakistan and northern india that migrate south for the winter .
they are usually seen in pairs close to bodies of water and human habitation ; or these fast fliers may fly low over water as they pursue their prey .
african form found in sub - saharan africa ; specifically in western africa from senegal east to southern mali south to the central ivory coast east to central and southern sudan , ethiopia and somalia , and south ( avoiding the central rainforest zone ) to northern namibia , northern botswana and northeastern south africa .
asian form found in southern uzbekistan south through tajikistan , afghanistan , pakistan , india east to southwestern nepal , burma / myanmar , northern thailand , laos , cambodia and central vietnam .
the plumage is mostly bright blue above , except for the reddish - brown crown ( top of the head ) and white spots on the tail . there is a blue bar extending from the beak through the eyes down to the neck and back . the plumage below is white , except for the darker flight feathers .
as suggested by their name , they have very long , outer tail feathers which trail behind like wires .
they construct neat half - bowl nests placed on vertical surfaces near water , such as below the ledges of cliffs or man - made structures , such as buildings and bridges .
the average clutch consists of 3 - 4 eggs in africa , and in asia , up to 5 have been reported .
afrikaans : draadstertswael . . . chinese : ? ? ? . . . czech : vlaštovka dlouhoocasá . . . danish : trådhalesvale . . . dutch : roodkruinzwaluw . . . estonian : niitsaba - pääsuke . . . finnish : jouhipääsky . . . french : hirondelle à longs brins . . . german : rotkappenschwalbe . . . icelandic : þráðsvala . . . italian : rondine codafili / codasottile di smith . . . japanese : hariotsubame . . . kwangali : sisampamema . . . lithuanian : si ? lauodeg ? kregžd ? . . . norwegian : trådhalesvale . . . polish : jaskólka rdzawoglowa , jaskó ? ka rdzawog ? owa . . . portuguese : andorinha de cauda longa . . . russian : ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? , ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? . . . slovak : lastovicka hnedohlavá . . . slovenian : nitorepa lastovka . . . shona : nyenganyenga . . . spanish : golondrina cola de cerdas , golondrina colilarga . . . swedish : trådstjärtsvala . . . swahili : mbayuwayu mkia - sindano . . . tamil : ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? . . . thai : ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? . . . turkish : tel kuyruklu k ? rlang ? ç , tel - kuyruklu k ? rlang ? ç . . . tsonga : mbawulwana . . . zulu : inkonjane
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open areas , cultivation , habitation , mostly in vicinity of canals , lakes , rivers .
common breeding ( summer ) visitor to n india , to about 1 , 800m in the himalaya ; breeds in many other parts of india ; widespread over the area , excepting arid zones .
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swallows , swifts , and martins are beautiful , graceful birds that are highly desirable backyard visitors , but they are not typical backyard birds . because of that , attracting swallows can be a challenge even for experienced backyard birders with many feeders and a variety of backyard guests . understanding these birds ' unique needs is the key to learning how to attract swallows and enjoy the benefits of having these beauties in your yard .
swallows are attractive backyard birds for several reasons . their graceful , aerobatic , energetic flight can be a joy to watch as they swoop about , and their glossy plumage glitters in the sunlight . they are relatively quiet species , and while their song is typically musical and chirping , they are less vocal than species such as thrushes or mockingbirds – perfect for backyard birders who prefer a quiet landscape . the most desirable characteristic of swallows , swifts , and martins , however , is their voracious appetites . these insectivorous birds can consume hundreds of insects every day - from moths to mosquitoes - and inviting a family of them into the backyard can provide exceptional ( and free ! ) pest control .
the key to attracting any specific type of bird is to meet that bird ' s unique requirements for the basic needs of survival : food , water , shelter , and nesting sites .
for swallows , those requirements can be a bit different than other typical passerines and more familiar backyard birds .
food : swifts , swallows , and martins almost never visit bird feeders , no matter what food is offered . so what do swallows eat ? these are insectivorous birds and preserving healthy insect populations is essential for them to have an adequate food source . avoiding insecticides and pesticides is the first step , and areas of open grass should be large enough to allow the birds to skim low over them while feeding . leaving grass slightly longer will encourage more insects for the birds to feed on . some birders have had limited success offering mealworms for swifts and swallows to eat , but it takes a great deal of time and effort to get the birds accustomed to that unusual food source . that effort may be better spent fostering natural insect sources the birds are more familiar with .
water : these birds typically stay near natural water sources , and a nearby lake , large pond or broad stream is essential for them to drink . as they fly over the water , they skim the surface to dip their bills in for a drink instead of perching to sip . moving water is more apt to attract swallows , swifts , and martins to backyards with noise and sparkles , and a bird bath fountain , bubbler or mister can be effective in attracting their attention . they may visit larger bird baths , and will often fly through sprinklers or misters for a quick , cool dip .
shelter : while many backyard birds need extensive trees , bushes , and thickets to feel safe and secure , these aerial birds are quite distinct in that they prefer more open areas . they are agile fliers and will soar and dive around yards that have smooth curves and open space . providing perching spots on wires , clotheslines or antennas will encourage them to stay nearby .
removing large trees to provide more open space and more grassy areas for the birds to fly over while feeding .
adjusting lawn watering schedules as much as local ordinances may allow providing a fly - thru water source for the birds .
adding a nesting shelf under porch eaves to provide a safe , stable place for these birds to build their nests .
patience is essential for attracting swallows , and over time , if you meet all these birds ' unique needs , you will be rewarded with their elegant and graceful company .
the reference for the information following is
roberts birds of southern africa
, 7th edition * edited by par hockey , wrj dean and pg ryan , published by
the trustees of the john voelcker bird book fund .
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the family contains around 83 species in 19 genera . in this article , unless specified , the term swallows will be used in a collective sense for all members of the family , including species commonly known as martins or saw - wings .
the swallows have a cosmopolitan distribution across the world and breed on all the continents except antarctica . they also occur on a number of oceanic islands . a number of species are long - distance migrants .
with their agility in flight , ability to produce many different calls or songs , and some species nesting in and around human settlements and buildings , swallows have long fascinated people . they even have been incorporated into religious stories , partly due to their arrival in europe around the time of easter and because of apocryphal stories placing them at jesus ' s crucifixion . ecologically , they provide a valued role in controlling the numbers of insect species . a few species of swallows are threatened with extinction by human activities , although other species have benefited from human changes to the environment .
as passerine birds , or perching birds , swallows have feet that are specialized for holding onto a branch , with three toes directed forward without any webbing or joining , and one toe directed backward . swallows belong to the suborder passeri ( oscines ) with such birds as warblers , finches , wrens , starlings , cowbirds , lyrebirds , blackbirds , jays , and larks .
it is believed the hirundinidae family originated in africa as hole - nesters ; africa still has the greatest diversity of species ( 1989 ) .
the bill of the sand martin is typical for the family , being short and wide .
the swallows and martins ( and saw - wings ) have an evolutionary conservative body shape that is similar across the family but is unlike that of other passerines ( turner 2004 ) . swallows have adapted to hunting insects on the wing by developing a slender streamlined body , and long pointed wings , which allow great maneuverability and endurance , as well as frequent periods of gliding . their body shape allows for very efficient flight , which costs 50 - 75 percent less for swallows than equivalent passerines of the same size . swallows usually forage at around 30 to 40 kilometers per hour although they are capable of reaching speeds of between 50 to 65 kilometers per hour when traveling .
like the unrelated swifts and nightjars , which hunt in a similar way , swallows have short bills , but strong jaws and a wide gape . their body length ranges from about 10 to 24 centimeters ( 3 . 9–9 . 4 inches ) and their weight from about 10 to 60 grams ( 0 . 4–2 . 1 ounces ) . the wings are long , pointed , and have nine primary feathers . the tail has 12 feathers and may be deeply forked , somewhat indented , or square - ended . a long tail increases maneuverability , and may also function as a sexual adornment , since the tail is frequently longer in males . female barn swallows will select mates on the basis of tail length .