Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Encyclopedia
The Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) is a small swallow.
Adults are 13–15 cm in length, brown on top with light underparts and a forked tail. They are similar in appearance to the Bank Swallow
but have a dusky throat and breast. They are closely related and very similar to the Southern Rough-winged Swallow
, Stelgidopteryx ruficollis, but that species has a more contrasting rump, and the ranges do not quite overlap.
Their breeding habitat is near streams, lakes and river banks across North America
. They nest in cavities near water, usually a burrow in dirt; they do not usually form colonies. The normal clutch is 4–8 eggs, incubated by the female for 13 days, with another 20 to fledging.
They migrate
to the Gulf coast of the United States
and south to Central America
.
These birds forage in flight over water or fields, usually flying low. They eat insects.
"Rough-winged" refers to the serrated edge feathers on the wing of this bird; this feature would only be apparent when holding this bird.
Adults are 13–15 cm in length, brown on top with light underparts and a forked tail. They are similar in appearance to the Bank Swallow
Sand Martin
The Sand Martin is a migratory passerine bird in the swallow family. It has a wide range in summer, embracing practically the whole of Europe and the Mediterranean countries, part of northern Asia and also North America. It winters in eastern and southern Africa, South America and South Asia...
but have a dusky throat and breast. They are closely related and very similar to the Southern Rough-winged Swallow
Southern Rough-winged Swallow
The Southern Rough-winged Swallow , Stelgidopteryx ruficollis, is a small swallow. It was first formally described as Hirundo ruficollis by French ornithologist Louis Vieillot in 1817 in his Nouveau Dictionnaire d'Histoire Naturelle....
, Stelgidopteryx ruficollis, but that species has a more contrasting rump, and the ranges do not quite overlap.
Their breeding habitat is near streams, lakes and river banks across North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. They nest in cavities near water, usually a burrow in dirt; they do not usually form colonies. The normal clutch is 4–8 eggs, incubated by the female for 13 days, with another 20 to fledging.
They migrate
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...
to the Gulf coast of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and south to 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...
.
These birds forage in flight over water or fields, usually flying low. They eat insects.
"Rough-winged" refers to the serrated edge feathers on the wing of this bird; this feature would only be apparent when holding this bird.
External links
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx ruficollis - USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow Species Account - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow Information and Photos - South Dakota Birds and Birding
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow videos on the Internet Bird Collection
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow photo gallery VIREO
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Birds of Nova Scotia