Meet the Welcome Swallow (Warou)

Say hello to the welcome swallow, a small and agile bird commonly seen darting through the skies across Aotearoa. Recognisable by its glossy blue-black back, creamy underside, and deeply forked tail, the welcome swallow is often spotted swooping low over fields, waterways, and open spaces as it catches insects in flight.

Originally from Australia, welcome swallows arrived in New Zealand in the 1950s and quickly made themselves at home. They often build their mud nests under bridges, eaves, and sheltered ledges, and their cheerful chattering calls are a familiar sound in many towns and rural areas.

Handcrafted in Arrowtown by our Cheeky Beaks ceramics team, each welcome swallow is individually shaped from white porcelain and carefully glazed to reflect the bird’s sleek form and distinctive colouring. Subtle variations in the glaze give every piece its own character.

Suitable for both indoor and outdoor display, the welcome swallow brings a lively reminder of New Zealand’s everyday birdlife into any space. As with all Cheeky Beaks pieces, each bird is handmade, meaning no two are exactly the same.

Dimensions (mm): 170 h × 95 l × 170 w
Weight: 300 g