Eastern saw wing

Introduction: Eastern saw-wings (Psalidoprocne orientalis), or the Eastern saw-wing swallow, often occur close to water at the edges and clearings of woodland and forest. They regularly perch on trees, usually in pairs or small groups, roosting at the base of small branches in tall trees.

Distribution: A rare visitor to the eastern Caprivi Strip.

Diet: Forages mostly at dawn and dusk, hunting for small, aerial insects.

Description: Small, sooty black body, white underwing coverts, deeply forked tails and pointed wings. Black bills, brown eyes and black feet and toes. Outer edge of the outer primary feathers saw-edged in shape, hence the name, taken from the Greek psalis which means 'a pair of shears'.

Breeding: Usually 2 eggs are laid in a self-excavated tunnel and incubated for around 18 days.

Size: 15cm.

Weight: 11g.