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Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennisOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Swallows (Hirundinidae)

Breeding Location:

Grassland with scattered trees, Desert, Grasslands, Desert, semi, Streams, upland



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester, Small colonies



Breeding Population:

Increasing



Egg Color:

White



Number of Eggs:

4 - 8



Incubation Days:

12



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

No nest materials.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: Small, stocky swallow, brown upperparts, paler underparts, pale brown throat. Tail is squared with white undertail coverts. Named for tiny hooks found on outer primary feathers. Swift, graceful flight, alternates several slow, deep wing beats with short or long glides.

Range and Habitat

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: Breeds from southeastern Alaska and southern Canada southward throughout the U.S. Spends winters north to southern California, the Gulf Coast, and southern Florida.

Breeding and Nesting

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: Four to eight white eggs are laid in a burrow or natural cavity; also uses ready-made cavities in bridges, culverts, and other streamside masonry. Eggs are incubated for 12 days by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: Eats insects; forages in flight, taking insects in the air or from the water surface; sometimes forages on the ground. Drinks by skimming the water surface while in flight.

Vocalization

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: Song is a low, unmusical "br-r-ret."

Similar Species

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: Bank Swallow is smaller and has a white throat and brown breast band.

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Family
Species Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Length5.5 Inches
Wingspan11.5 Inches

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: Small, stocky swallow, brown upperparts, paler underparts, pale brown throat. Tail is squared with white undertail coverts. Named for tiny hooks found on outer primary feathers. Swift, graceful flight, alternates several slow, deep wing beats with short or long glides.

● Song: "br-r-ret"

● Foraging & Feeding: Northern Rough-winged Swallow: Eats insects; forages in flight, taking insects in the air or from the water surface; sometimes forages on the ground. Drinks by skimming the water surface while in flight.

● Breeding & nesting: Northern Rough-winged Swallow: Four to eight white eggs are laid in a burrow or natural cavity; also uses ready-made cavities in bridges, culverts, and other streamside masonry. Eggs are incubated for 12 days by the female.

● Similar species: Northern Rough-winged Swallow: Bank Swallow is smaller and has a white throat and brown breast band.

Flight Pattern

Swift graceful flight with slow deep wing beats.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Northern Rough-winged Swallow: Breeds from southeastern Alaska and southern Canada southward throughout the U.S. Spends winters north to southern California, the Gulf Coast, and southern Florida.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester, Small colonies
PopulationIncreasing
MigrationMigratory
Weight0.6 Ounces