A medium-sized brown swallow that nests in burrows in river banks.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The northern rough-winged swallow is a small, migratory swallow. It is very similar to the southern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx ruficollis.
Source: Wikipedia — Northern rough-winged swallow Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Brown-backed swallow with a dusky-brown throat and breast blending into a white belly (no breast band) and a slightly notched tail.
Similar species. Bank Swallow has a clean white throat and a distinct brown breast band; the Rough-winged has a dingy throat with no band and is browner overall.
Voice. A low, harsh, buzzy 'brrrt' or 'prrt', often doubled.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Flying insects caught in flight.
Behavior. A plain brown swallow that nests in burrows in dirt banks, culverts, and crevices (often singly, unlike colonial Bank Swallows); forages low over water for flying insects.
§ Range
Across North America
§ Habitat
River banks, streams
§ Threats
Habitat loss.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the northern rough-winged swallow is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support stream conservation.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Northern rough-winged swallow
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Stelgidopteryx serripennis
- IUCN Red List — search for Stelgidopteryx serripennis
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Stelgidopteryx serripennis
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
