Mangrove Swallow
Encyclopedia
The Mangrove Swallow, Tachycineta albilinea, is a passerine
bird
that breeds in coastal regions from Mexico
through Central America
to Panama
. It is non-migratory
, but may make seasonal movements.
There is a swallow in coastal Peru
that resembles the Mangrove Swallow, but lacks the white head stripe. It is possibly a subspecies, but the geographical separation suggests that this little known form is a distinct species.
The Mangrove Swallow’s bulky cup nest is built in natural or artificial cavities near water, usually below 2 m in height. Sites include tree holes and crevices in rock or bridges. The clutch is three to five white eggs which hatch in 17 days. The nestlings are fed by both parents for 23–27 days to fledging. Like the related Tree Swallow
, this species is very aggressive to other hirundines when breeding, and nests are several hundred metres apart.
This swallow averages 13 cm (5 inches) long and weighs about 14g. The bill is small and black. The adult Mangrove Swallow has iridescent blue-green upperparts, white underparts and rump, and blackish tail and flight feathers. There is a thin white stripe from the bill to above the eye. The female usually has duller colours than the male, and the juvenile is dull grey-brown above and grey-brown washed white below.
This species is closely associated with fairly still open water, and is often found in small flocks over rivers or lakes when not breeding. The Mangrove Swallow subsists primarily on a diet of insect
s, including large species such as dragonflies
and bee
s.
The flight of the Mangrove Swallow is typically direct and low over the water. It frequently perches. Its call is a rolled jeerrrt.
Passerine
A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species, it has roughly...
bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
that breeds in coastal regions from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
through Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
to Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
. It is non-migratory
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
, but may make seasonal movements.
There is a swallow in coastal Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
that resembles the Mangrove Swallow, but lacks the white head stripe. It is possibly a subspecies, but the geographical separation suggests that this little known form is a distinct species.
The Mangrove Swallow’s bulky cup nest is built in natural or artificial cavities near water, usually below 2 m in height. Sites include tree holes and crevices in rock or bridges. The clutch is three to five white eggs which hatch in 17 days. The nestlings are fed by both parents for 23–27 days to fledging. Like the related Tree Swallow
Tree Swallow
The Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor, is a migratory passerine bird that breeds in North America and winters in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. It is a very rare vagrant to western Europe....
, this species is very aggressive to other hirundines when breeding, and nests are several hundred metres apart.
This swallow averages 13 cm (5 inches) long and weighs about 14g. The bill is small and black. The adult Mangrove Swallow has iridescent blue-green upperparts, white underparts and rump, and blackish tail and flight feathers. There is a thin white stripe from the bill to above the eye. The female usually has duller colours than the male, and the juvenile is dull grey-brown above and grey-brown washed white below.
This species is closely associated with fairly still open water, and is often found in small flocks over rivers or lakes when not breeding. The Mangrove Swallow subsists primarily on a diet of insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s, including large species such as dragonflies
Dragonfly
A dragonfly is a winged insect belonging to the order Odonata, the suborder Epiprocta or, in the strict sense, the infraorder Anisoptera . It is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and an elongated body...
and bee
Bee
Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila...
s.
The flight of the Mangrove Swallow is typically direct and low over the water. It frequently perches. Its call is a rolled jeerrrt.