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Help develop a Bird ID tool!

Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: HIRUNDINIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

The gregarious Cliff Swallow nests in large colonies on buildings, cliffs, and under bridges. The gourd-shaped mud nests can number up to several hundred or thousand in a single location.

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Appearance

Swallows
Swallows
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small, long-winged stocky songbird.
  • Small bill.
  • Wings long and pointed.
  • Throat dark.
  • Tail square.
  • Rump pale.

Immature Description

Juvenile looks similar to adult, but has brown, not blue-black, on the crown and back, and variable dark or pale throat and forehead.

Range Map Help

Cliff Swallow Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Field MarksHelp

  • Adult
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    Cliff Swallow

    Adult
    • Small, stocky swallow
    • Squared tail
    • Tawny rump
    • White forehead contrasts with dark cap and chestnut throat
    • © Cameron Rognan, Arcata, California, May 2007
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Cliff Swallow

    Adult
    • Stocky and long-winged
    • Squared tail
    • White forehead and tawny rump distinctive in flight
    • © Sharon Watson, North Dakota, May 2011
  • Adult
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    Cliff Swallow

    Adult
    • Stocky, short-tailed swallow
    • Dark gray above, paler below
    • White forehead contrasts with dark cap and chestnut-brown throat
    • © Cameron Rognan, Bishop, California, June 2005
  • Juvenile
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    Cliff Swallow

    Juvenile
    • Stocky and short-tailed
    • Similar to adult but duller overall
    • © Bob Gunderson, Sierra Valley, Plumas County, California, June 2012
  • Adult
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    Cliff Swallow

    Adult
    • Small, chunky swallow with short, squared tail
    • White forehead contrasts with dark crown and chestnut-brown throat
    • Tawny rump
    • © Ganesh Jayaraman, Palo Alto, California, April 2010

Similar Species

  • Adult male
    Zoom In

    Barn Swallow

    Adult male
    • More elongated and slender than Cliff Swallow
    • Long, forked tail
    • Glossy blue/purple above, buffy orange below
    • Dark rufous forehead and throat
    • © Eddie Y, Flushing Meadows, Corona, Queens, New York, May 2011
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Cave Swallow

    Adult
    • Similar to Cliff Swallow
    • Pale tawny throat
    • Darker rufous/chestnut forehead
    • © Stephen Ramirez, San Marcos, Texas, July 2010

Similar Species

  • Distinguished from all other swallow species, except Cave Swallow, by its pale orange rump and square tail.
  • Cave Swallow is similar, but usually has chestnut forehead and light throat.