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Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Photo by joanbstanley
Published on Project Noah
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32.6435, -117.109

Field Notes

Description:

The Cliff Swallow is somewhat similar in appearance to the Barn Swallow. The back, wings, and crown of the adult is a deep blue like the Barn Swallow, but the Cliff Swallow has a light belly, chestnut-colored face, dark throat, and pale gray nape. Three field marks especially useful in distinguishing the Cliff Swallow from the Barn Swallow are the white forehead, buff rump, and short, squared-off tail. The Cliff Swallow also has two white streaks down its back. Juveniles are brown above, buff below, and have varying numbers of small white spots on their foreheads and throats.

Habitat:

The Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
The San Diego National Wildlife Refuge.

Complex supports habitats as diverse as coastal marshes and uplands, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, freshwater marsh, rare vernal pool wetlands, and the incredible breeding and nesting grounds for a suite of migratory and resident bird species in south San Diego Bay. These refuges help conserve the rich biological diversity and quality of life for which the region is famous.

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