Family: Hirundinidae, Swallows view all from this family
Description ADULT Has bluish black cap and white-lined bluish
black back. Note the pale collar, reddish orange cheeks, and
dark throat; forehead is white in most birds. Rump is buffy and
square-ended tail is dark. Underparts are mostly pale with
darker spots on undertail coverts. JUVENILE Duller than adult,
with unmarked back; lacks reddish elements of facial plumage and
has paler rump. Throat is dark (cf. juvenile Cave). Dimensions
Length: 5-6" (13-15 cm) Habitat Common summer visitor (mainly
Apr-Sep) to a wide range of habitats. Winters in South America.
Observation Tips Easy to find. Range Texas, Rocky Mountains,
Southwest, Southeast, Alaska, California, Eastern Canada, Mid-
Atlantic, Florida, Great Lakes, Northwest, Western Canada,
Plains, New England Voice Utters various soft twittering notes.
Discussion Compact swallow with broad-based, triangular, and
relatively short wings. Pale orange-buff rump, obvious in
flight, is diagnostic across much of ra