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NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW  Stelgidopteryx serripennis 12–

13.5cm. Fairly chunky, rather plain swallow of open and semi-open country,

lightly wooded regions, often near water; nests in holes in banks, road cuts,

buildings. Tail slightly notched, appears rounded when spread. Flight distinctly

swooping, wingbeats smooth and floppy, not snappy; rarely soars and glides for

prolonged periods, cf. martins. Nests in scattered pairs or small groups. Note

brown upperparts, dingy brownish breast (throat variably tinged cinnamon in

fresh plumage), notched tail, white undertail coverts (can have 1–2 dark

subterminal spots). Southern Rough-winged Swallow has contrasting pale

rump, black distal undertail coverts. SOUNDS: Slightly wet buzzy zzurt and zzrih, harsher calls when

alarmed, often in rapid series; typically drier and rougher than Southern Rough-winged. STATUS: Uncommon

to fairly common but local breeder Mar–Aug, mainly 300–1800m. Uncommon to fairly common

migrant, Aug–early May, mainly in lowlands. (Breeds N America to Costa Rica, winters Mexico to

Panama.)

SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW  Stelgidopteryx ruficollis 12–

13cm. Replaces Northern Rough-winged Swallow as a breeding bird in humid

lowlands, but the species occur together, especially in fall–winter. Habits similar

to Northern Rough-winged but all plumages of Southern have contrasting pale

rump; also note black distal undertail coverts. Juv. rump washed cinnamon, cf.

Cliff Swallow. SOUNDS: Rolled, slightly burry chrih or chirrih, averaging mellow-

er, less gruff than Northern Rough-winged; higher chrieh-chrieh in alarm.

STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon, to 1800m; more widespread in fall–win-

ter, when small numbers range to nw. lowlands, but status vs. Northern Rough-

winged in many areas awaits elucidation. (Honduras to S America.)

(AMERICAN) CLIFF SWALLOW  Petrochelidon pyrrhonota 12–13.5cm.

Chunky, rather square-tailed transient migrant swallow of open and semi-open

areas, often near water. Regularly mixes with other swallows, feeding and

perched on wires. Note dark throat contrasting strongly with pale underparts;

whitish forehead of n. breeders distinctive (Mexican breeders have rusty

forehead), and rump often paler than Cave Swallow; wing molt in winter, vs.

late summer–fall in Cave. Juv. has weaker head pattern, browner back, like

adult by spring. SOUNDS: Burry chrreh and variations; alarm call a downslurred,

twangy nasal chiehr. STATUS: Common to fairly common Aug–early Nov, Feb to

mid-May, mainly in coastal lowlands; scarce and local in winter, mainly on Pacific slope. (Breeds N

America to Mexico, winters S America.)

*CAVE SWALLOW  Petrochelidon fulva 12–13.5cm. Chunky, rather square-tailed migrant swallow found

in varied open habitats, often near water; regularly with other swallows feeding and perched on wires,

as singles or small flocks. Note pale rusty face and throat, contrasting poorly with pale underparts, cf.

Cliff Swallow. SOUNDS: Nasal zweih and chrieh, suggesting Barn Swallow, less burry than Cliff Swallow.

STATUS: Scarce and irregular Nov–Feb in nw. lowlands; first detected Costa Rica in 2000s. (Breeds Mexico

and sw. US, to Greater Antilles, winters to Cen America.)

BARN SWALLOW  Hirundo rustica 12.5–14.5cm + streamers. Slender, fork-

tailed migrant swallow widespread in open and semi-open habitats, often near

human habitation and water. Roosts can number 1000s, sometimes on wires in

towns. Adult has dark rusty throat, diagnostic long tail streamers, variable rusty

to buff wash below (can fade to whitish in winter). Juv. has shorter tail, throat

and forehead can fade to whitish; note white subterminal tail spots. Winter

birds often in wing molt. SOUNDS: Upslurred squeaky chiet or zwieh, often run

into twittering series; agitated call a clipped pi-chiip. STATUS: Common to fairly

common Aug–Nov, Feb–May, mainly in coastal lowlands; smaller numbers

inland, rarely to 3000m; uncommon to locally common in winter, especially on Pacific slope. (Breeds

Holarctic; winters Mexico to S America.)