Bird Guide

Chilean Swallow vs Violet-green Swallow

Chilean Swallow (Tachycineta leucopyga)

Chilean Swallow

Tachycineta leucopyga

Tiny18 gGrassland

The Chilean swallow is about 13 centimetres (5.1 in) in length and weighs 15–20 grams (0.53–0.71 oz). It is glossy blue-black above and white below with a white rump. Its wings and tail are black, with white tips on its inner secondaries and its tertials. Their underwing coverts and auxiliaries are both grey. The Chilean swallow's bill and legs are black. The sexes are alike, and the juveniles are duller and browner. It is similar to the white-rumped swallow, but lacks the white forehead of that species and has bluer upperparts and grey underwing-coverts.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: ferferrari · CC0
Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina)

Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassina

Tiny14 gForest

The distinct body form of swallows distinguishes them from other passerine birds. Their long pointed wings and slim, streamlined body evolved to catch insects while in flight; the violet-green swallow is no exception. With an average body length of 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in), the violet-green swallow is slightly shorter and appears more compact in flight compared to some other members of the genus Tachycineta. The violet-green swallow most closely resembles the tree swallow T. Voice: There are many knowledge gaps surrounding the vocalization behaviour of violet-green swallows. These gaps include vocalizations made during early development, alarm calls and the daily pattern of calls. The little information available suggests two main classes of vocalizations, the chee-chee calls and twitter calls.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Violet-green Swallow
Recorded by Peter Wilton · Call · San Jose, Santa Clara County, California, United States · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Brooke J. · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Chilean Swallow and Violet-green Swallow.