Have you ever seen a Northern Rough-winged Swallow? These small birds, measuring only 5 to 5 1/2 inches in length, are an interesting sight to behold! They have a brown back and white underparts, a short notched tail, and narrow pointed wings. They also have short legs adapted more for perching than for walking.
Northern Rough-winged Swallows prefer to nest in burrows created by other animals like kingfishers, squirrels, and Bank Swallows. These burrows can be found in clay, sand, or gravel banks near water. Additionally, they may nest in crevices found in gutters, boxes, drainpipes, walls and bridges.
These birds sing a low unmusical br-r-ret sound that is more drawn out than the call of the Bank Swallow and often doubled. Adults are plain brown above with a white belly and buffy throat and upper breast. Juveniles look similar to adults but have reddish-brown wing bars.
If you’d like to observe Northern Rough-winged Swallows it’s best to look near rivers or streams whre they commonly congregate during their migration period between April and September. Their singing can also be heard during this time making them easy to spot!
Overall thee swallows are an interesting species of bird that deserve our admiration due to their remarkable ability of long distance travel. If you get the chance to spot one do take the opportunity as it’s sure to be an enjoyable experience!
Average Size of Northern Rough-winged Swallow
The northern rough-winged swallow is a small bird, typically measuring between 5 to 5.5 inches in length from beak to tail. Its wingspan can be up to 8 inches wide, and its body is slim and lightweight. Its legs are short compared to other swallows, and its feet are more adapted for perching than walking.
Nesting Habits of Northern Rough-winged Swallows
Northern Rough-winged Swallows nest in a variety of places, including burrows created by other animals such as kingfishers, squirrels, and Bank Swallows that are found in clay, sand, or gravel banks near water. They also nest in crevices found in gutters, boxes, drainpipes, walls, and bridges. As an aerial predator species that feeds on flying insects, they prefer to nest close to water sources that can provde them with easy access to food.
The Sound of a Northern Rough-winged Swallow
The northern rough-winged swallow has a distinctive call that is low and unmusical in tone. It is a drawn-out ‘br-r-ret’ sound, oten repeated twice. The call is longer and more drawn out than the call of the Bank Swallow.
The Benefits of Swallow Nest
Swallow’s nest is a type of edible bird’s nest made from the saliva of a swiftlet, a small migratory bird found in Southeast Asia. This delicacy is highly prized in China, where it is known as “yan wo” or “yan wo ji”. The nests are usually gathered from the walls and ceilings of sea caves in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. They are usually yellow or white in color and have a gelatinous texture. Swallow’s nest has been used for hundreds of years as a traditional Chinese medicine ingredient, believed to improve longevity and oveall health. It is also an expensive delicacy consumed mainly by the wealthy in China. In addition to its culinary uses, swallow’s nest has also been used for its decorative purposes; it can be seen hanging from ceilings as an architectural ornament known as “swallow’s nest organ.” Lastly, the Swallow’s Nest castle in Crimea is one of the most well-known landmarks on the Black Sea coast that attracts tourists from all over the world.
Conclusion
The northern rough-winged swallow is a small, plain-brown bird with a white belly and buffy throat and upper breast. It has a short, notched tail, narrow pointed wings, and square tails with white undertail coverts. Its call is a low br-r-ret that is more drawn out than the call of the Bank Swallow. They nest in burrows created by other animals in clay, sand, or gravel banks, typically near water, but they can also nest in crevices found in gutters, boxes, drainpipes, walls and bridges. All of tese features make the northern rough-winged swallow an interesting species to observe and learn about.
