This very dark swallow could be confused with Mosque Swallow, from which it doffers by its red throat and breast and dark buff, not white, underwing coverts. Smaller and shorter-tailed Red-rumped Swallow is much paler and streaked below, and has a blue cap that does not extend below the eye, a complete rusty nuchal collar and the flight feathers appear pale grey, not black, from below.
Juvenile has a creamy white throat and breast but differs from adult Mosque Swallow by its buffy, not white, underwing coverts.
Grassland and savanna.
A soft, warbling song; twittering notes are uttered in flight.