Southern Rough-winged Swallow
A species of Rough-winged Swallows Scientific name : Stelgidopteryx ruficollis Genus : Rough-winged Swallows
Southern Rough-winged Swallow, A species of Rough-winged Swallows
Botanical name: Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Genus: Rough-winged Swallows
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Instituto Últimos Refúgios , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The southern rough-winged swallow (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis) is a small swallow. It was first formally described as Hirundo ruficollis by French ornithologist Louis Vieillot in 1817 in his Nouveau Dictionnaire d'Histoire Naturelle. It occurs in Central and South America from Honduras south to northern Argentina and Uruguay. It also occurs on Trinidad. Southern birds of the nominate race S. r. ruficollis, are migratory, moving north in winter, but the northern S. r. aequalis is sedentary. The adult is 13.5 cm (5.3 in) in length and weighs 15 g (0.53 oz). It is brown above, with blackish wings and tail and a pale grey rump. The throat and upper breast are rufous with the lower underparts yellowish-white. The tail is slightly forked. It is similar in appearance to its northern counterpart, the northern rough-winged swallow, but is more uniform in colour, particularly on the rump. It is found in open areas and forest clearings. It nests in grass-lined cavities of various types, including holes in banks or walls, or disused kingfisher and jacamar nests. It does not form colonies. The clutch is 3–6 white eggs, incubated by the female for 16–18 days and with another 13 days to fledging. Southern rough-winged swallows forage for insects in flight, usually flying low with a slow deliberate flight. The call is an unmusical chirrup. "Rough-winged" refers to the serrated edge of the outer primary feathers on the wing of this bird; this feature would only be apparent when holding this bird.
Size
13 cm
Life Expectancy
5.9-6 years
Feeding Habits
Southern Rough-winged Swallow predominantly consumes insects like flies, beetles, and ants, catching them mid-flight. They exhibit aerial foraging techniques and may have adaptations for feeding on a variety of flying insects, showing a preference for those found in open air spaces.
Habitat
The southern Rough-winged Swallow typically resides in open country, favoring areas in close proximity to water sources such as rivers and lakes. Its preference extends to forest clearings, where it can often be found. This species has a substantial presence across broad geographical regions up to altitudes of 1000 meters, although instances of it occurring at elevations as high as 3600 meters have been recorded. In comparison to its congeners, southern Rough-winged Swallow generally occupies lower altitudinal zones.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Photo By Instituto Últimos Refúgios , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Swallows Genus
Rough-winged Swallows Species
Southern Rough-winged Swallow