Stelgidopteryx serripennis
adult
The Northern Rough-winged Swallow is similar to the Bank Swallow but lacks that species’ dark breast band, and it has grubbier underparts. The sexes are similar. Adults have brown upperparts with pale fringes to the inner flight feathers and wing coverts. The throat and breast are pale gray-buff, grading to whitish on the rest of the underparts. Juveniles are similar to adults but with more rusty-brown upperparts, buff on the throat and breast, and rufous-buff margins to the inner flight feathers and wing coverts. In flight, all birds have narrow, pointed wings and an almost square-cut end to the tail.
The Northern Rough-winged Swallow is present as a breeding species across much of temperate North America, mainly from April to September. It spends the rest of the year in Central America. The species nests in rock crevices and holes in banks, but never in large colonies like the Bank Swallow. It catches insects on the wing and often feeds over water.
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 5 in (12.5 cm)
FOOD Insects
HABITAT Open habitats, usually in the vicinity of sand banks or cliffs for nesting
STATUS Widespread and common summer visitor
VOICE Song and calls comprise a range of buzzing notes
