Cave Swallow

14 cm (5-6") Rare and local. Southern Texas, southern New Mexico. Accidental in southern Arizona, southern Florida. Limestone caves, culverts, sinkholes, under bridges.

Square tail, buffy rump. Resembles Cliff Swallow but the facial pattern is reversed. It has a lighter buffy throat and cheeks and a dark chestnut forehead.

Nests in colonies. Builds cup-like nests.

Song: "wheet" or loud "chu chu".

Videos

Images

Credit: Amy McAndrews

Credit: nebirdsplus

Credit: Andy Jones, Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Credit: Andy Jones - Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Distribution Maps

Cave Swallow distribution map