white-backed swallow Cheramoeca leucosterna

A very distinctive black-and-white swallow of arid inland Australia. Prominent white upper back, with black belly and black strongly forked tail. Nests in earthen banks, including road cuts and river banks. Usually seen in small flocks. Compare Fairy and Tree Martins, which have pale rump rather than upper back, and Welcome Swallow, which has a completely dark back. Call is a clipped "chik."