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Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Photo by Jellis
Published on Project Noah
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37.6009, -121.872

Field Notes

Description:

Small swallows with brown on upper parts and pale to white on the under parts. They get their name from the hooks and points on the edges of their outer primary feathers that feel like a rough file.
Now what I read about them being adaptable. Is true here. These were creating nests, not burrowing. Some were using abandoned Cliff swallow nests and some using spot under the freeway where there was a groove they disappeared into.

Habitat:

I don't know where they spent their time since when I observed them were focused only on building nests. No water was at this location, but some not far.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)

Thank you Maria. I didnt mention I was questioned by two different CHP officers, asking why I was holding a camera near an overpass. I guess with these days they were just being careful. I actually was looking for Swifts that were spotted nearby, but never saw them.
Adorable birds and nice series
Thank you. The birds were swooping down and would either grab a twig (as you see in one of the photos) or rocks. I think though these don't have much color, have the cutest faces of all the swallows I've seen so far.
Photographed
PublishedApril 16, 2013

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