Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Northern Rough-winged Swallow

These uncommon brown swallows nest in sandbanks, road cuts, soft cliffs, or in crevices of manmade structures where they can gain purchase.  The young birds in the video were waiting to be fed, and it gave a nice view of them gaping.  Juveniles also have cinnamon-colored wingbars.  They are solitary nesters, and  sometimes several pairs will nest somewhat near one another, which is not as close as Barn Swallows.  They prefer open areas with open substrate, but don't always nest in commercially made structures.

Nesting from April through July, they are single brooded, and it tends to be rarest in the southwest part of Oklahoma, but likely nests in the open woodlands with nearby water.  Sometimes they use old kingfisher, squirrel, or Bank Swallow holes that are still useable.  They have a twig nest at the end of a burrow, which the female incubates for about two weeks.  Both parents feed the young, who leave the nest in about three weeks.

                                                      Northern Rough-winged Swallows
                                                             Boomer Lake Park, 2017

Summer residents in nearly the entire country, the white undertail coverts are seen while they are in flight, and their shorter, square tails are also noted during that time.  The leading edges of the outer primaries lack the barbules that most birds have, hence the name "rough-winged."

They feed over water more often than not, and are excellent for low level flight over varied terrain.  They are found from sea level to six thousand feet, often snatching insects from the top of the water.

                                                      Northern rough-winged Swallow
                                                          Patagonia Lake SP, AZ 2018

The species has declined over the past four decades, likely caused by pesticides, pollutants, climate change, and insecticides.  All of these factors have also been affecting other birds like other swallows, swifts, nightjars, and flycatchers.  In view of this, there are many questions affecting the health of the air, or aeroecology, another ecological system.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow and the Birds of Southeast Arizona:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2018/05/birding-on-shoestring-american.html

Northern Rough-winged Swallow and the Birds of Boomer Lake:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2017/04/springs-migrants-have-been-dropping-in.html