# Northern Rough-winged Swallow (*Stelgidopteryx serripennis*) The Northern Rough-winged Swallow is a small bird with a brownish body and a unique rough edge on its wings. These birds love to fly and catch insects in the air, making them fun to watch! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 36 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas, Urban areas, Wetlands ![Northern Rough-winged Swallow](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Stelgidopteryx_serripennis.jpg&width=800) Photo: Basar, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stelgidopteryx_serripennis.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Rough-winged Swallow is a medium-sized bird with a dull brown back, dusky throat and breast, and a white belly. Its most distinct feature is the tiny, hook-like serrations on its outer primary wing feathers, giving it a 'rough' edge. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Hirundinidae - **Genus:** Stelgidopteryx ## Interesting facts - These swallows get their name from tiny hooks on their wing feathers! - They often reuse old kingfisher or even groundhog burrows for their nests. - They sometimes line their cozy nest tunnels with snake skins! - Unlike many other swallows, they rarely nest in huge colonies. ## Special abilities - **Aerial Insect Net:** Northern Rough-winged Swallows can catch insects mid-flight because of their agile wings, allowing them to twist and turn rapidly. - **Earth Engineer:** Northern Rough-winged Swallows can dig their own nest tunnels into earthen banks because of their strong bills, providing a safe nursery. - **Air Current Sensor:** Northern Rough-winged Swallows have unique rough-edged wing feathers that might help them feel subtle air currents during flight. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-15 cm - **Wingspan:** 27-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.018 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-6 years - **Speed:** 55 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-8 - **Incubation:** 12-16 days - **Migration Distance:** 4000 km ## Diet & Feeding These swallows are insectivores, catching flying bugs like mosquitoes and flies right out of the air! - **Primary Foods:** Flies, Mosquitoes, Beetles, Wasps, Moths - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Kestrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-kestrel) (*Falco sparverius*) — Kestrels are known predators of small birds. - **Eats:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Swallows actively hunt and eat these common flying insects. - **Eats:** Common House Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — These swallows help control mosquito populations. - **Depends on:** [Groundhog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/groundhog) (*Marmota monax*) — Swallows often reuse abandoned groundhog burrows for nesting. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Rough-winged Swallow? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Northern Rough-winged Swallow? 12-15 cm ### What is Northern Rough-winged Swallow's wingspan? 27-30 cm ### How much does Northern Rough-winged Swallow weigh? 0.01-0.018 kg ### How long does Northern Rough-winged Swallow live? 2-6 years ### How fast can Northern Rough-winged Swallow move? 55 km/h ### What does Northern Rough-winged Swallow eat? These swallows are insectivores, catching flying bugs like mosquitoes and flies right out of the air! ### Where is Northern Rough-winged Swallow usually found? Coastal areas, Urban areas, Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Arastradero Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arastradero-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Broadway Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadway-avenue-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Capitol Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/capitol-park-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Central Park West Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/central-park-west-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Columbia Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/columbia-canal) — South Carolina, US · Historic Site - [Grand Circus Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grand-circus-park-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District [View all places to see Northern Rough-winged Swallow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-rough-winged-swallow) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Northern Rough-winged Swallow Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-rough-winged-swallow)