Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Stelgidopteryx serripennis
The Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) is a common swallow found in 24 countries, weighing about 16 g. The northern rough-winged swallow is a small, migratory swallow.
About the Northern Rough-winged Swallow
The northern rough-winged swallow is a small, migratory swallow. It is very similar to the southern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx ruficollis.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Adults are 13–15 cm (5.1–5.9 in) in length, brown above with white underparts, a small bill, and a forked tail. Their throat is white with a brownish-grey wash, and below the throat are white underparts. The adults have a wingspan of 27–30 cm (11–12 in) and a weight of 10–18 g (0.35–0.63 oz). The males' undertail coverts are longer and broader than those of the females. The males also have hooked barbs on the outer web of their outer primary wings. The barbs on the females are shorter and straighter than those of the males. Voice: The call of this swallow is described as a short, harsh zeep. It has also been described as a rough, low bzzt. It is often doubled. This call is similar to the call of the bank swallow.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Martinique, St. Pierre & Miquelon.
When to see it
Best months: March, April, May, June, July, August, with peak activity in May. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Northern Rough-winged Swallow?
- Adults are 13–15 cm (5.1–5.9 in) in length, brown above with white underparts, a small bill, and a forked tail. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Northern Rough-winged Swallow?
- The Northern Rough-winged Swallow is a small sized bird weighing about 16 g.
- Where can you see a Northern Rough-winged Swallow?
- The Northern Rough-winged Swallow occurs in 24 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica and Belize.
- What birds look similar to a Northern Rough-winged Swallow?
- The Northern Rough-winged Swallow is most easily confused with the Southern Rough-winged Swallow.
Learn the Northern Rough-winged Swallow for real
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