Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyHirundinidae (Swallows and Martins)
- GenusStelgidopteryx (Rough-winged Swallows)
- SpeciesStelgidopteryx serripennis (Northern Rough-winged Swallow)
About the Northern Rough-winged Swallow
The northern rough-winged swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) is a small, migratory swallow. It is very similar to the southern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx ruficollis. The genus name, Stelgidopteryx, is from Ancient Greek and means "scraper wing" and the species name, serripennis, is derived from Latin and means "saw feather". In the common name, "rough-winged" refers to the serrated edge feathers on the wing of this bird; this feature would only be apparent when holding this bird.
Six subspecies of the northern rough-winged swallow are currently recognized. Stelgidopteryx serripennis serripennis is the nominate subspecies and can be found to occur in southern Alaska and Canada to the southern United States. They are found to usually winter in southern Florida and from southwestern Mexico to Panama. It was described by Audubon in 1838.
Stelgidopteryx serripennis psammochrous was described by Ludlow Griscom in 1929. It breeds in the southwestern US and winters from central Mexico to Panama. It can be differentiated from the nominate race by being paler, especially on the crown and rump.
Stelgidopteryx serripennis fulvipennis is... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Northern Rough-winged Swallow in Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Southern Rough-winged Swallow
Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Cliff Swallow
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Bank Swallow
Riparia riparia
Gray-breasted Martin
Progne chalybea
Mangrove Swallow
Tachycineta albilinea
Purple Martin
Progne subis
Blue-and-white Swallow
Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Great Kiskadee
Pitangus sulphuratus
Montezuma Oropendola
Psarocolius montezuma
Lesser Greenlet
Hylophilus decurtatus
Scarlet-rumped Tanager
Ramphocelus passerinii
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Northern Rough-winged Swallow in Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Northern Rough-winged Swallow sighting in Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, based on 18 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Northern Rough-winged Swallow in Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge?
February has the highest sighting rate for Northern Rough-winged Swallow in Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge in our monthly data.