Order
Passeriformes
Family
Hirundinidae
Genus
Petrochelidon
 
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Version 1.0

This is a historic version of this account.  Current version

SPECIES

Chestnut-collared Swallow Petrochelidon rufocollaris

I. S. Malekan
Version: 1.0 — Published June 23, 2010

Appearance

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Chestnut-collared Swallow is a medium-sized swallow with a square-tipped or slightly notched tail. The upperparts are mostly dark blue, with a contrasting tawny or pale chestnut rump and a narrow collar of the same color across the back of the neck. The underparts are mostly white, with a rufous breast band and flanks.

Similar Species

The Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota), which is a rare but regular migrant to Ecuador and Peru from North America, is similar to Chestnut-collared Swallow; in particular, the Cliff Swallow has the same tail shape, dark blue upperparts, and tawny rump. The Cliff Swallow, however, has dark chestnut (not white) throat; lacks the rufous breast band and flanks; and usually has a pale spot on the forecrown. The Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) is very similar to Chestnut-collared Swallow, but has the throat, and chest area cinnamon-buff with no rufous-chestnut below; geographic overlap with Cave and Chestnut-collared swallows is not reported, but Cave Swallows are migratory and potentially could reach Ecuador or Peru.

Detailed Description

The following description is based on Turner (2004):

Adult: Medium sized swallow with a square-shaped tail. Forecrown and hindneck dark chestnut. Crown and back glossy blue-black, mantle streaked whitish. Rump chestnut. Auriculars and throat white, sometimes suffused with buff. Band across upper breast, and flanks, rufous-chestnut. Remaining underparts white, except for brown or chestnut across the vent. Wings and tail blackish-brown. Sexes similar.

Juvenile: Duller and browner.

Molts

No information specific to Chestnut-collared Swallow.

Bare Parts

Bill black. Feet black. Legs pinkish-brown.

Measurements

Total length 12 cm (Turner 2004, Ridgely and Greenfield 2001b)

Mass: 14-18 g (Turner 2004)

Recommended Citation

Malekan, I. S. (2010). Chestnut-collared Swallow (Petrochelidon rufocollaris), version 1.0. In Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/nb.chcswa2.01