The Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis breeds in the US throughout the lower 48 states and extends into portions of southern Canada. There are birds found year-round along portions of the Gulf coast and in Mexico and parts of Central America.

This swallow was once considered a single species, the Rough-winged Swallow, that ranged from southern Canada to Argentina. Now, two separate species are recognized: Northern Rough-winged Swallow in North America and the Southern Rough-winged Swallow from Panama to Argentina. As a whole, the taxonomy of the genus Stelidopteryx is uncertain and in need of further study.

The Northern Rough-winged Swallow winters into middle Central America and northern South America.

The species breeds over a wide altitudinal range, nesting from sea level to 6,000 feet. Open areas, including open woodlands, are preferred as breeding habitat. This bird is common throughout its breeding range, but its local distribution depends on suitable nest sites. Nest sites are predominantly near rocky gorges, shale banks, stony road cuts, railroad embankments, gravel pits, eroded margins of streams and other exposed banks of clay, sand or gravel. They will also nest in old kingfisher burrows, protruding drainpipes, crevices in brick or stone structure such as dams, bridges or tunnels, gutters and culverts. They often nest near open water, but water may be coincidental with occurrence of suitable nest sites.

Northern Rough-winged Swallows are declining. Contributing factors may include the scarcity of suitable nest sites, competition from other bank nesting swallows, nest predation from weasels and other predators, and the use of pesticides and the resulting reduction in the number of insects. Unusually cold weather during the nesting season also reduces the availability of insects and may lead to starvation of young and adults. Fortunately, Rough-winged Swallows are fairly successful in fledging young and is no doubt a help in maintaining their populations in the face of increasing human pressure.

Barbs on the outer edge of the outer primary flight feather give Rough-winged Swallows their name. Barbs are generally more pronounced on males than females (Pyle 1997, Turner & Rose 1989). Visible only under a magnifying glass (and found also in an unrelated group of mainly central African swallows, Rough-wings (or alternatively Saw-wings) in the genus Psalidoprocne) their function is unknown, but may serve to produce sounds during the mating season.

(Adapted from http://faculty.ncwc.edu/mbrooks/pif/Bird%20Profiles/northernrough_winged_swallow.htm and http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=BD0254)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All photos copyright Charlie Moores