ExploreBirds

Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Cliff Swallows are small birds that build their homes under cliffs and bridges. They have beautiful, colorful feathers and love to fly around catching insects in the air.

Habitat: Coastal areas, Urban areas

Appearance

The Cliff Swallow has an iridescent blue-black back, buffy-white belly, and a distinctive white forehead patch. Its throat and cheeks are cinnamon-rufous. They also have a squared-off tail, unlike the deeply forked tail of many other swallows.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyHirundinidaeGenusPetrochelidon
Cliff Swallow
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgecolorful trait badgeinsectivorous trait badge
Cliff Swallow

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Some colonies have over 1000 nests packed together, a real bird city!

Their nests can weigh more than 500 grams, like a small brick!

These birds line their mud nests with feathers to make them super cozy inside.

They fly thousands of miles from North America to South America every year!

Special abilities

Ability

Mud Master Builders

Cliff Swallows can build intricate mud nests using sticky saliva that helps bind the mud together.

Ability

Swarm Safety Squad

Cliff Swallows have huge colonies, sometimes with thousands of nests, which helps them stay safe from predators.

Ability

Airborne Acrobat Hunter

Cliff Swallows can catch flying insects mid-air with agility due to their sleek bodies and pointed wings.

Ability

Insect Net Mouth

Cliff Swallows have a wide mouth that helps them scoop up many tiny flying insects while flying.

Measurements & details

Length
13-15 cm
Wingspan
30-33 cm
Weight
0.02-0.027 kg
Lifespan
2-6 years
Top Speed
48 km/h
Clutch Size
3-6
Incubation
13-16 days
Migration Distance
12000 km

Diet & Feeding

They zoom through the air, catching tiny flying insects like flies and beetles!

Primary Foods

  • Flies
  • Beetles
  • Moths
  • Wasps
  • Ants
  • True Bugs

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

hunts

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

This raptor swoops down to catch adult swallows.

parasitizes

Swallow Bug

Cimex hirundinis

A tiny insect that feeds on their blood in nests.

eaten by

House Fly

Musca domestica

A common insect that Cliff Swallows catch in flight.

hunts

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

This snake can climb cliffs to eat eggs and chicks.

Traits

Also known as

Mud Swallow

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Watch these birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Cliff Swallow?

13-15 cm

What is Cliff Swallow's wingspan?

30-33 cm

How much does Cliff Swallow weigh?

0.02-0.027 kg

How long does Cliff Swallow live?

2-6 years

How fast can Cliff Swallow move?

48 km/h

What does Cliff Swallow eat?

They zoom through the air, catching tiny flying insects like flies and beetles!

Where is Cliff Swallow usually found?

Coastal areas, Urban areas

How does Cliff Swallow hunt?

Pursuit

Snap Map

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