Black-collared Swallow

About the Black-collared Swallow

The black-collared swallow (Pygochelidon melanoleuca) is a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae, the swallows and martins. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, and possibly Paraguay.

The black-collared swallow was originally described as Hirundo melanoleuca. It was later moved to genus Atticora but following a study published in 2005 it was moved to the resurrected genus Pygochelidon that had been erected in 1865.

The black-collared swallow shares genus Pygochelidon with the blue-and-white swallow (P. cyanoleuca). It is monotypic. The black-collared swallow is about 14 cm (5.5 in) long and weighs 10 to 12 g (0.35 to 0.42 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a mostly glossy blue-black head and neck with a white throat. Their upperparts are glossy blue-black. Their tail is deeply forked and blackish. Their wings are blackish. Their underparts are mostly white with a blue-black band across the breast. Juveniles have duller and browner heads and upperparts than adults, dirty white underparts, and a shorter tail.

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