Diet of Swifts (Apodidae) and Swallows (Hirundinidae) During the Breeding Season in South African Grassland

Abstract

The contents of 30 stomachs of 3 swift species, and 96 stomachs of 9 swallow species were analyzed. Most of the birds were shot during the breeding season in the semi-arid grasslands of South Africa. The swifts fed mainly on termite alates and minute nemathoceran Diptera, while the swallows preyed mainly upon minute Coleoptera. Flying ants were an important food constituent in the diets of both swifts and swallows.