Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)

Order: Passeriformes | Family: Hirundinidae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

cliff_swallow
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. North America

cliff_swallow
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Costa Rica

cliff_swallow
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. North America and Ecuador

cliff_swallow
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Costa Rica

Identification & Behavior: ~13.5 cm (5.2 in). The Cliff Swallow has glossy black upperparts and cap, with white streaks on the mantle. The rump is rufous. The throat and sides of the head are rufous with a brown breast and pale gray rest of the underparts. The tail is slightly notched. It forages over a variety of habitats often in mixed swallow species flocks. It is similar to the Chestnut-collared Swallow but is distinguished by having a rufous throat and sides of the head and no rufous collar and sides of the belly. Also, see Barn Swallow.

Status: The Cliff Swallow is an uncommon Boreal migrant expected in Peru during the months of October through April. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, Bo, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Golondrina Risquera Americana.

Sub-species: Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)

Meaning of Name: Petrochelidon: Gr. petra= rock and khelidon= swallow; petrokhelidonos= type of swallow that frequented cliffs. pyrrhonota: Gr. pur, puros= fire notos, noton= back, backed.

See more of the Family Hirundinidae peru aves

Distribution Map
cliff_swallowVoice

References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 03/01/2016.