Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis Scientific name definitions

The Southern Rough-winged Swallow is a widespread aerial insectivore of southern Central America and much of South America.  It nests in burrows in banks, often near water, and is typically found near water when foraging as well.  Overall it is dusky brown with a pale rump and rusty throat and a pale yellowish belly, though western birds are less yellow below and have a whiter rump.  In 1981, Northern Rough-winged Swallow and Southern Rough-winged Swallow were described as separate species; the Northern is much drabber overall, but identification is a serious concern and identification should be considered carefully on extralimital or unseasonal records.  Southern Rough-winged Swallow is often found in flocks, and can be readily detected by its rising, buzzy bjzjeet calls.

13 cm; 14–18 g. Male nominate race is mainly dark grey-brown, slightly darker on crown than on back, slightly paler rump; wings and tail blackish-brown, stiff recurved barbs on outer web of outer primary, tail square-ended; throat cinnamon, rest of underparts dark grey-brown, becoming yellowish on abdomen, with undertail-coverts white; underwing-coverts dark grey-brown. Distinguished from S. serripennis by brighter throat, from Alopochelidon fucata by grey-brown head and paler rump. Sexes similar, but female lacks recurved barbs on outer primary. Juvenile has duller throat, pale edges of feathers on back. Race <em>decolor</em> is palest, with dark shaft streaks below; <em>uropygialis</em> is darker than previous, rump conspicuously whitish; aequalis is light brown above, rump pale, throat tawny-buff.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Open country, particularly near water, also forest clearings, and along rivers. Usually below 1000 m, locally to 2000 m, and recorded to 3600 m; in Costa Rica, generally at lower elevations than S. serripennis.

Apparently resident in N, pairs staying near nest-site; migratory in S. Forms large flocks after breeding. Nominate race has been recorded in N of breeding range (e.g. Colombia, Surinam) in non-breeding season, and likely to occur in neighbouring countries, but extent of non-breeding distribution not known. Vagrant in Falkland Is.

Diet includes flies (Diptera), beetles (Coleoptera), heteropteran bugs, and flying ants and other Hymenoptera. Feeds alone or in small groups, generally low or at medium height over ground or water. Flight usually direct, with slow, deliberate wingbeats.

Similar to S. ruficollis but lower-pitched and less harsh (uropygialis); calls include twitters or buzzy notes at nest-site, most commonly an upslurred “suree”.

Mar/Apr–Jun in Central America and Trinidad, Feb–Jul in Colombia; single-brooded. Solitary or in small loose groups; aggressive towards intruders. Nest of dry grass, leaves and feathers, in hole or old burrow in riverbank, quarry or road cutting; burrow usually made by other species, e.g. motmot (Momotidae), but has been recorded as digging. Clutch 4–6 eggs in Central America, 3–6 in Trinidad, 3–5 in S of range; incubation by female, 15–18 days; chicks fed by both sexes, fledging 18–21 days; young stay near nest-site and are fed for several days, once for at least 25 days.

Not globally threatened. Generally common and widespread; sometimes sparse and local. Restricted to areas with natural nest-sites, as it does not often use artificial ones.