Cave Swallow
Petrochelidon fulva
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyHirundinidae (Swallows and Martins)
- GenusPetrochelidon (Cliff Swallows and Allies)
- SpeciesPetrochelidon fulva (Cave Swallow)
About the Cave Swallow
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.
The cave swallow measures 12 to 14 cm in length and weighs 19 g on average. The largest of the five subspecies, P. f. pallida, has an average wing length between 107.0 and 112.3 mm; the smallest subspecies, P. f. aequatorialis, has an average wing length between 93.0 and 93.5 mm. Differences between the sexes are minimal, both are similar in size and weight and are difficult to distinguish from their plumage. It has grey-blue upperparts and brown-tangerine forefront... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Cave Swallow in Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Loggerhead Kingbird
Tyrannus caudifasciatus
Bananaquit
Coereba flaveola
White-chinned Thrush
Turdus aurantius
Jamaican Spindalis
Spindalis nigricephala
Orangequit
Euneornis campestris
American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
Jamaican Oriole
Icterus leucopteryx
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Setophaga caerulescens
Sad Flycatcher
Myiarchus barbirostris
Jamaican Euphonia
Euphonia jamaica
Northern Parula
Setophaga americana
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Haitises National Park | 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic | |
| 2 | Ciénaga de Zapata | 🇨🇺 Cuba | |
| 3 | Jaragua National Park | 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic | |
| 4 | Everglades National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 6 | Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park | 🇯🇲 Jamaica | |
| 7 | Cañón del Sumidero National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 8 | Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 9 | Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 10 | Celestún Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 11 | Big Cypress National Preserve | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 12 | Acadia National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 13 | Calakmul Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 14 | La Amistad International Park (Panama) | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 15 | Shenandoah National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 16 | Point Pelee National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Cave Swallow in Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Cave Swallow sighting in Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, based on 13 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Cave Swallow in Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Cave Swallow in Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park in our monthly data.