Cave Swallow
Petrochelidon fulva
The Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) is a uncommon swallow found in 24 countries, weighing about 19 g. The cave swallow is a medium-sized, squarish-tailed swallow belonging to the same genus as the more familiar and widespread cliff swallow of North America.
About the Cave Swallow
The cave swallow is a medium-sized, squarish-tailed swallow belonging to the same genus as the more familiar and widespread cliff swallow of North America. The cave swallow, also native to the Americas, nests and roosts primarily in caves and sinkholes.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The cave swallow measures 12 to 14 cm in length and weighs 19 g on average. The largest of the five subspecies, P. f. pallida, has an average wing length between 107.0 and 112.3 mm; the smallest subspecies, P. f. aequatorialis, has an average wing length between 93.0 and 93.5 mm. Differences between the sexes are minimal, both are similar in size and weight and are difficult to distinguish from their plumage. It has grey-blue upperparts and brown-tangerine forefront and throat. Voice: Cave swallow chicks begin giving faint calls shortly after hatching. As the chicks develop their calls become louder and more aggressive. These calls allow the chicks to communicate to the attending parent(s) their basic needs, such as hunger.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Colombia, Panama, Martinique, Caribbean Netherlands.
When to see it
The Cave Swallow can be seen all year round, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Cave Swallow?
- The cave swallow measures 12 to 14 cm in length and weighs 19 g on average. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Cave Swallow?
- The Cave Swallow is a small sized bird weighing about 19 g.
- Where can you see a Cave Swallow?
- The Cave Swallow occurs in 24 countries, including the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba and Jamaica.
- What birds look similar to a Cave Swallow?
- The Cave Swallow is most easily confused with the Fairy Martin, the Tree Martin and the South African Cliff Swallow.
- Is the Cave Swallow endangered?
- The Cave Swallow is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Cave Swallow for real
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