Mangrove Swallow (Tachycineta albilinea)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Tachycineta ("moving quickly") albilinea ("white lined") 

Mangrove Swallow (Tachycineta albilinea) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 14g  /  Length: 11-12cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Unlike many hirundines, the mangrove swallow is a solitary nester built into nooks near water, either manmade or artificial. These particular birds pictured had made the bold choice to make a nest on one of the tour boats for the Tarcoles River, and thus periodically they would follow their moving nest up and down the river before returning to dock, seemingly unphased.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Genus: Tachycineta
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Golondrina de Manglar ("Mangrove Swallow")

Found in coastal and wetland lowlands, particularly Mangroves
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

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

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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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Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Tachycineta ("moving quickly") bicolor ("two coloured")

 

Juvenile Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) at Buffalo Creek State Park, Minnesota - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 17-25g  /  Length: 12-14cm  /  Wingspan: 30-35cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A hirundine which will nest in tree cavities, usually near water. The adult males have irridescent turquoise plumage on their head and backs. They range is expanding in some places due to general conservation efforts which have benefitted them such as changed land use and nest boxes.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Genus: Tachycineta
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Summer breeding migrant to Northern Lower 48 and Alaska, some Winter on Gulf Coast
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Minnesota

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

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