Blue Swallow conservation

Driving biodiversity protection through sustainable, inclusive conservation

Conservation Heritage Foundation RichardFlack_BlueSwallow

All Photos: Richard Flack

The Blue Swallow is an intra-African migrant that spends half of its year in South Africa and is uniquely adapted to the mistbelt grasslands of the country’s eastern regions. As a grassland-dependent species, it relies on intact natural grasslands for both breeding and foraging, while facing many of the same threats affecting these fragile habitats.

With fewer than 40 breeding pairs and approximately 80 mature adult individuals remaining in South Africa, the Blue Swallow is regionally listed as Critically Endangered.

Why This Species Needs Protection

The Blue Swallow is an extraordinary bird, yet its future hangs in the balance. Its story has been powerfully captured in the documentary Into the Blue – Hope on Fragile Wings, which highlights both the species’ value and the many pressures it faces.

We cannot allow this species to go extinct on our watch. Dedicated conservationists continue to raise awareness, monitor population trends, and work with landowners to improve the management of key breeding sites. These efforts are essential — but they require sustained support.

Conservation Heritage Fund Blue Swallow - flight

How Conservation Support Makes a Difference

CHF Blue Swallows - Environmental Education (2)

Blue Swallow conservation requires targeted, long-term intervention to ensure the species can continue to survive in our landscapes. Donations to this project directly support the following priority actions:

  • Securing Blue Swallow habitat and breeding areas as protected areas or other formal conservation option
  • Improving management at breeding sites through alien plant eradication and enhanced grassland management to support insect food sources
  • Monitoring Blue Swallow populations to better understand population dynamics and respond effectively to their needs
  • Providing monitoring equipment, including camera traps, to protect nests and identify threats
  • Conducting an annual Blue Swallow census to locate new or previously unknown populations
  • Supporting regional conservation programmes across their range, specifically focusing on research efforts

How Funds Are Managed

All donations made to the Conservation Heritage Foundation for Blue Swallow conservation are ring-fenced within the Trust account and managed by Ewing Trust Company.

These funds are administered exclusively for Blue Swallow conservation by a dedicated conservation team comprising staff from Conservation Outcomes, BirdLife South Africa, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (the provincial conservation authority).

Support Blue Swallow Conservation

If you would like to contribute to protecting this remarkable and threatened species, we invite you to support Blue Swallow conservation through a donation.