See text Cecropis is a genus of large swallows found in Africa and tropical Asia.

The red-rumped swallow's range also extends into southern Europe, and (in small numbers) into Australia.

[2] The swallow family Hirundinidae consists of 92 bird species which typically hunt insects in flight.

DNA studies suggest that there are three major groupings within the Hirundininae subfamily, broadly correlating with the type of nest built.

[5] The type species was subsequently designated as the greater striped swallow (Cecropis cucullata) by the Italian zoologist Tommaso Salvadori in 1881.