Cave Swallow
Petrochelidon fulva
- Class
- Bird
- Rarity
- Common
- Observations
- 2,922
- Most observed in
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
The cave swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) is a medium-sized, squarish-tailed swallow belonging to the same genus as the more familiar and widespread cliff swallow of North America. The cave swallow, also native to the Americas, nests and roosts primarily in caves and sinkholes. Cave swallows are found in Mexico and the Greater Antilles, with fall and winter vagrants reaching the east and Gulf Coasts of the U.S. Breeding colonies occur in south-eastern New Mexico, Texas, Florida, the Greater Antilles, portions of southern Mexico, and along the west coast of South America. Five subspecies are currently recognized according to Birds of North America, three occurring in North America and two in South America.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Cave swallow”.