A swallow with a pale, light red rump that can look white at a distance but is clearly not a house martin (Delichon urbicum). Other features are the pale throat, pale ring around the nape and black undertail coverts which contrast with the pale belly. This 'hirundine' appears more leisurely in flight and glides more frequently than other species of the group, as it catches insects in the air. Bearing a superficial resemblance to barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) but Cecropis daurica has tail streamers that are shorter, slightly thicker and often closed in flight.