Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Least ConcernCommonInvertebratesShrublandCavity nestSmall · 16 g

About the Southern Rough-winged Swallow

The southern rough-winged swallow a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae, the swallows and martins. It is found in Central America from Honduras south, in every mainland South American country except Chile, on Trinidad, and as a vagrant to Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Tobago, and the Falkland Islands.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The southern rough-winged swallow is about 13 cm (5.1 in) long and weighs 14 to 18 g (0.49 to 0.63 oz). The sexes have almost the same plumage. Adult males of the nominate subspecies S. r. ruficollis have a mostly dark gray-brown head with a cinnamon throat. Their upperparts are mostly dark gray-brown with a slightly paler rump. Their tail is square; it and their wings are blackish brown. Their wings' outer primaries have stiff recurved barbs on their outer webs that give the bird its English name. Females lack these barbs. Voice: The southern rough-winged swallow's most common vocalization has variously been described as "an upslurred suree", "a musical, rising zwee", and "a distinctive rough, upslurred djreeet". It also makes twitters and other buzzy vocalizations.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Belize, Curaçao, Aruba.

When to see it

Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Side by side: Northern Rough-winged Swallow vs Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Learn the Southern Rough-winged Swallow for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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