OTHER NAMES: Cliff Swallow
Latin Etymology: Petrochelidon ("rock swallow") pyrrhonota ("flame coloured")
American Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) on Half Moon Bay Pelagic - September 2022
Featured Subspecies: unclear
Weight: 19-31g / Length: 13-15cm / Wingspan: 28-33cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern
A distinctive species of hirundine that almost has the appearance of a barn swallow's head on a sand martins body. They are found throughout the United States, enabled in their expansion by human settlement providing an alternative place to build their nests than their natural cliff faces. Like many hirundines, they are long distance migrants, wintering in South America. This particular individual was seen out to sea on our pelagic boat trip mid migration - possibly slightly lost!
Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Genus: Petrochelidon
SUBSPECIES: P. p. pyrrhonota, P. p. ganieri, P. p. tachina, P. p. melanogaster
- Sighting Locations -
Breeds across much of the Lower 48 and Alaska
- CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen on the Half Moon Bay Pelagic Trip
Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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