White-winged Swallow
Tachycineta albiventer
The White-winged Swallow (Tachycineta albiventer) is a uncommon swallow found in 14 countries, weighing about 18 g. The white-winged swallow is a resident breeding swallow in tropical South America found in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, and Argentina.
About the White-winged Swallow
The white-winged swallow is a resident breeding swallow in tropical South America found in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, and Argentina. It is not found west of the Andes. This swallow is largely non-migratory.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The adult white-winged swallow is 14 cm (5.5 in) long and weighs 14–17 g (0.49–0.60 oz). It has iridescent blue-green upperparts, white underparts and rump, and white edgings to the secondary flight feathers. The wings are otherwise black, along with the tail. It has dark brown eyes and a black bill and legs. The sexes are similar, although it is noted that the females have slightly less white on the wing. Juveniles have grayer underparts and are duller in general when compared to the adults. The juvenile also has less white on the wing.
What the White-winged Swallow sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Martinique.
When to see it
The White-winged Swallow can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-winged Swallow?
- The adult white-winged swallow is 14 cm (5.5 in) long and weighs 14–17 g (0.49–0.60 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-winged Swallow?
- The White-winged Swallow is a small sized bird weighing about 18 g.
- Where can you see a White-winged Swallow?
- The White-winged Swallow occurs in 14 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Trinidad & Tobago.
- What does a White-winged Swallow sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the White-winged Swallow on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a White-winged Swallow?
- The White-winged Swallow is most easily confused with the White-rumped Swallow, the Mangrove Swallow and the Chilean Swallow.
- Is the White-winged Swallow endangered?
- The White-winged Swallow is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the White-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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