Cliff swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Identification Tips:

• Length: 5 inches
• Tiny bill
• Pale orange rump and forehead (dark in some southwestern birds)
• Blackish cap, throat and upperparts
• Side of neck brown
• Tip of tail squared
• Juveniles similar to adults but duller
• Most often seen flying
• Will nest communally in mud nests under bridges, in barns and caves, etc

Similar species:

The Cliff Swallow can be told from all swallows except the Cave Swallow by its pale rump. Cave Swallow has a darker forehead and a paler throat than the Cliff Swallow. When viewed from below, the Cliff Swallow can be told from other swallows by its squared tail and dark throat.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.