Southern Rough-winged Swallow
Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Plain brownish swallow, common and widespread through the Neotropics. Very similar to Northern Rough-winged Swallow, but look for contrasting pale rump in flight and tawny throat; also, note that ranges only overlap in Central America. Found in open habitats including fields, rivers, and lakes, often in small loose flocks.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1817)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Hirundinidae
- Genus
- Stelgidopteryx
Range and habitat
It occurs in Central and South America from Honduras south to northern Argentina and Uruguay. It also occurs on Trinidad. Southern birds of the nominate race S. r. ruficollis, are migratory, moving north in winter, but the northern S. r. aequalis is sedentary.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
It is found in open areas and forest clearings. It nests in grass-lined cavities of various types, including holes in banks or walls, or disused kingfisher and jacamar nests. It does not form colonies. The clutch is 3–6 white eggs, incubated by the female for 16–18 days and with another 13 days to fledging. Southern rough-winged swallows forage for insects (such as plant bugs, beetles, flies, flying ants and heteropterans) in flight, usually flying low with a slow deliberate flight. The call is an unmusical chirrup.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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