Taxonomy/Description

Northern Rough-winged Swallows are Passerines in the family Hirundinidae which consists of swallows and martins. They are about 5.5 inches (14cm) in size. They have brownish-gray upperparts and whitish underparts with a dusky brown throat. They have long wings and a short tails.

Habitat/Diet

Northern Rough-winged Swallows occupy areas around streams and riverbanks, gravel pits and under bridges. They prefer open areas. Northern Rough-winged Swallows breed in virtually all of the United States. They are found as far north as central British Columbia. They winter in the southern tip of Florida, parts of Mexico and Central America. They are found in Western New York during the summer.

Northern Rough-winged Swallows capture insects while in flight. These birds mostly fly at low altitudes near the ground  and they eat mostly insects and rarely eat any vegetable matter.

Behavior/Reproduction

Northern Rough-winged Swallows are usually solitary but can be loosely colonial. Males will pursue females while displaying his white parts under his tail during courtship rituals. They will nest in Bank Swallow colonies and nest on protruding roots because Bank Swallows do not do this. They have a monogamous mating system and one brood per year. The female will lay 5-6 white eggs in her crevice nest and incubate them for 12 days. Young are altricial when born which means they are blind, helpless and immobile. Both parents will care for young until young are ready to fledge which is 17-21 days after they hatch.

Where to see them in WNY

Northern Rough-winged Swallows are fairly common near water ways so it would be best to look for this species near Lake Erie and Lake Ontario as well as the Niagara River during the summer. They are also common in smaller bodies of water as well.