Friday, 9 January 2026

Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Pygochelidon ("rump swallow") cyanoleuca ("blue and white")


Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)at Alajuela, Costa Rica - November 2025


Featured Subspecies: Pygochelidon cyanoleuca cyanoleauca
Weight: 10g  /  Length: 11-12cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species with a vast range across of South America but the highest peaks of the Andes meets the most Northerly point of its range in Costa Rica. It is a versatile species which can be found from sea-level to 4000m altitude, building its nest in cavities both natural and man made. It is believed to have benefitted from human caused changes to habitat as deforestation has provided more of the open habitats it prefers.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Genus: Pygochelidon
SUBSPECIES: P. c. cyanoleaca, P. c. peuviana, P. c. patagonica
 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Golondrina Barranquera ("Burrowing Swallow")
A widespread resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Alajuela 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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