Tumbes Swallow
Tachycineta stolzmanni
The Tumbes Swallow (Tachycineta stolzmanni) is a rare swallow found in 2 countries, weighing about 11 g. The Tumbes swallow is a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae, the swallows and martins.
About the Tumbes Swallow
The Tumbes swallow is a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae, the swallows and martins. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Tumbes swallow is 11.5 to 12 cm (4.5 to 4.7 in) long and weighs about 11 g (0.39 oz). It is the smallest member of its genus. The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a dark blue-brown to blue green head with a small white stripe from the base of the bill to above the eye and white cheeks and throat. Their upperparts, wings, and tail are dark blue-brown to blue green except for a white rump. Their underparts are white with thin bran-colored streaks on the breast. They have a dark iris, a stubby slate gray or black bill, and black legs and feet. Voice: As of December 2025 xeno-canto had only four recordings of Tumbes swallow vocalizations and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Macaulay Library had five with no overlap. "The mellifluous churtle of breeding Tumbes Swallow is barely audible, but beautiful to the ear." Its call while foraging is "a dry, rising zhreet?".
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Ecuador.
When to see it
The Tumbes Swallow can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Tumbes Swallow?
- The Tumbes swallow is 11.5 to 12 cm (4.5 to 4.7 in) long and weighs about 11 g (0.39 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Tumbes Swallow?
- The Tumbes Swallow is a tiny sized bird weighing about 11 g.
- Where can you see a Tumbes Swallow?
- The Tumbes Swallow occurs in 2 countries, including Peru.
- What birds look similar to a Tumbes Swallow?
- The Tumbes Swallow is most easily confused with the Golden Swallow, the Bahama Swallow and the White-rumped Swallow.
- Is the Tumbes Swallow endangered?
- The Tumbes Swallow is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Tumbes Swallow for real
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