cliff swallow

The cliff swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) is a species of swallow native to the New World. It is known for its distinctive pale buff rump and dark throat patch. These colonial birds construct unique, jug-shaped mud nests, often under eaves or on cliffs.1

Swallows, belonging to the family Hirundinidae, are small birds characterized by pointed wings, short bills, and forked tails. They are exceptionally agile flyers, spending much of their time in the air catching insects. Their nesting habits vary, with some using holes, others burrowing into banks, and species like the cliff swallow plastering mud to create their homes. Cliff swallows exhibit strong homing instincts and are found worldwide, with temperate species undertaking long migrations.2