Quick answer
IUCN status: Least ConcernPacific swallow at a glance
The pacific swallow (Hirundo javanica) is a bird in the family Hirundinidae. Range in Indonesia: Widespread in Indonesia within a Southeast Asian–Pacific range. Diet: flying insects; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.
| Scientific name | Hirundo javanica |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Layang-layang batu |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Widespread in Indonesia within a Southeast Asian–Pacific range |
| Linked habitats | Urban Habitats |
| Food | Flying insects |
| Nest | Mud cup in a sheltered place |
| Activity | Feeds on the wing |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore) · AVONET bird trait database (Tobias et al. 2022) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt |
In this guide (11)
Recognising a flying swallow
Adult Pacific swallows have glossy blue upperparts, greyish underparts and an orange forehead and throat. Compared with Barn Swallows, their outer tail feathers are shorter and they lack the dark band separating throat and breast. Check several angles when a bird perches; a flying silhouette alone may be insufficient for identification.
Evidence: eBird — Pacific Swallow identification ↗ · NParks — Pacific Swallow feeding at Sungei Buloh ↗
From coasts to buildings
eBird records these swallows around towns and over fields, lakes and forests. Bird Ecology Study Group documentation from Singapore shows a mud cup attached to a building’s vertical surface. This is a local observation, not an Indonesian breeding calendar. Watch adult visits from a distance when assessing nest activity.
Evidence: eBird — Pacific Swallow identification ↗ · Bird Ecology Study Group (2007) — Pacific Swallow nesting in Singapore ↗
Feeding in the air
NParks describes Pacific swallows catching airborne insects in open areas near water. Singapore nest observations also document adults carrying insects to young. This supports aerial insect feeding without establishing the prey mix in Indonesia. Record behaviour and observation duration before comparing numbers seen on different visits.
Evidence: NParks — Pacific Swallow feeding at Sungei Buloh ↗ · Bird Ecology Study Group (2007) — Pacific Swallow nesting in Singapore ↗
Why the scientific name matters
eBird updated the taxonomy of this group and uses Hirundo javanica for Pacific swallow after a split from birds formerly grouped together. Older sources may use a different name or scope. When comparing records across years, match the scientific name and checklist version before inferring a range change.
Responsible nest watching
Our observation advice is to leave active nests undisturbed and keep cameras away from young birds. NParks also recommends keeping nest locations offline. If building work is needed, seek locally appropriate guidance before disturbing a nest. Retain dates and observation duration: a presence report is not a census of every bird.
Evidence: NParks — birdwatching etiquette ↗ · GBIF — what occurrence records document ↗
Explore related habitats
These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.
Scientific classification of the Pacific swallow
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Genus | Hirundo |
| Species | Hirundo javanica |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the pacific swallow
What is the scientific name of the pacific swallow?
The scientific name of the pacific swallow is Hirundo javanica, in the family Hirundinidae and the order Passeriformes. In Indonesian it is called Layang-layang batu.
What kind of animal is the pacific swallow?
The pacific swallow is a bird in the family Hirundinidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore).
Where does the pacific swallow live in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, this guide records the pacific swallow in: Widespread in Indonesia within a Southeast Asian–Pacific range.
Source-supported habitats: Urban Habitats.
What does the pacific swallow eat?
Diet of the pacific swallow: flying insects. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: AVONET bird trait database (Tobias et al. 2022).
How does the pacific swallow reproduce?
The pacific swallow reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).
Is the pacific swallow nocturnal?
The cited source records the pacific swallow as diurnal (active by day). Source: EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt.
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What is the scientific classification of the pacific swallow?
Scientific classification of the pacific swallow: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, family Hirundinidae, genus Hirundo, species Hirundo javanica.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the pacific swallow endangered?
No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the pacific swallow is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the pacific swallow is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).
Sources & references
- eBird — Pacific Swallow identification ↗
- NParks — Pacific Swallow feeding at Sungei Buloh ↗
- Bird Ecology Study Group (2007) — Pacific Swallow nesting in Singapore ↗
- eBird (2024) — Pacific and Tahiti swallow split ↗
- NParks — birdwatching etiquette ↗
- GBIF — what occurrence records document ↗
- AVONET bird trait database (Tobias et al. 2022) ↗
- Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) ↗
- EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Pacific swallow (Hirundo javanica). Last substantive update: 7 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hirundo-javanica/