Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A plain brown bird, the Northern Rough-winged Swallow is fairly common across the United States in summer. The species derives its name from the outer wing feathers, which have small hooks or points on their leading edges.

Description

• Small, long-winged stocky songbird.
• Small bill.
• Wings long and pointed.
• Uniformly dull brown head and upperparts.
• Pale brown throat.

• Size: 12-15 cm (5-6 in)
• Wingspan: 27-30 cm (11-12 in)
• Weight: 10-18 g (0.35-0.64 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes appear similar; in the hand, male can be identified from more pronounced hooks on the leading edge of the wing feathers.

Sound

Territorial male gives a series of short, relatively low-pitched, rising "brrt" or "jrrr" notes.

Conservation Status

Generally adapts well to environments affected by human activity. No specific conservation concern.

Other Names

Hirondelle à ailes hérissées (French)
Golondrina ala de sierra, Golondrina alirraspos, Norteña (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The function of the rough wing edge of the Northern Rough-winged Swallow is not known.
• The barbs on the primary feathers of the male Northern Rough-winged Swallow are distinctly hooked; those of the female are smaller and straighter. Running a finger from base to tip along the barbed wing edge yields a sensation similar to that of touching a rough file.

• The Greek genus name of the Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx, means "scraper wing;" the Latin species name, serripennis, means "saw feather."

• In one documented case, a Northern Rough-winged Swallow pair nested inside a Civil War cannon.

Sources used to construct this page:

DeJong, M. J. 1996. Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis). In The Birds of North America, No. 234 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.