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Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonotaOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Swallows (Hirundinidae)

Breeding Location:

Grassland with scattered trees, Rocky cliffs



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Large colonies



Breeding Population:

Expanding



Egg Color:

Creamy white to light pink marked with brown



Number of Eggs:

3 - 6



Incubation Days:

14 - 16



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Pellets of clay or mud lined with grasses, down, and feathers.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Cliff Swallow: Small, stocky swallow, dark blue-gray upperparts, pale orange-brown rump, buff underparts. Forehead is white or buff while throat, sides of face are orange-brown. Crown is blue-black, bill is short and black. Tail is dark and squared. Legs and feet are gray. Catches insects in flight.

Range and Habitat

Cliff Swallow: Breeds from Alaska, Ontario, and Nova Scotia southward throughout most of U.S. except the southeast; spends winters in the tropics. Preferred habitats include open country near buildings or cliffs, lakeshores, and marshes.

Breeding and Nesting

Cliff Swallow: Three to six brown marked, creamy white to light pink eggs are laid in a gourd-shaped nest made of mud, lined with feathers, and built on a sheltered cliff or under an eave. Incubation ranges from 14 to 16 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Cliff Swallow: Diet consists almost entirely of insects, but will occasionally gorge on berries; forages in flight.

Vocalization

Cliff Swallow: Emits constant, squeaky chattering and twittering.

Similar Species

Cliff Swallow: Cave Swallow has darker forehead and paler throat.

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Family
Species Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Length5.5 Inches
Wingspan12 Inches

Cliff Swallow

Cliff Swallow: Small, stocky swallow, dark blue-gray upperparts, pale orange-brown rump, buff underparts. Forehead is white or buff while throat, sides of face are orange-brown. Crown is blue-black, bill is short and black. Tail is dark and squared. Legs and feet are gray. Catches insects in flight.

● Song: "churr", "zarp"

● Foraging & Feeding: Cliff Swallow: Diet consists almost entirely of insects, but will occasionally gorge on berries; forages in flight.

● Breeding & nesting: Cliff Swallow: Three to six brown marked, creamy white to light pink eggs are laid in a gourd-shaped nest made of mud, lined with feathers, and built on a sheltered cliff or under an eave. Incubation ranges from 14 to 16 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Cliff Swallow: Cave Swallow has darker forehead and paler throat.

Flight Pattern

Soars on thermals and updrafts., Swift graceful flight with slow deep wing beats.
Cliff Swallow Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Cliff Swallow: Breeds from Alaska, Ontario, and Nova Scotia southward throughout most of U.S. except the southeast; spends winters in the tropics. Preferred habitats include open country near buildings or cliffs, lakeshores, and marshes.
BreedingMonogamous, Large colonies
PopulationExpanding
MigrationMigratory
Weight0.8 Ounces