
Medium to large swallow, with a thicker torso and broader more blunt wings than other swallows. Tail is squared-off and the rump is buffy orange. Has dark wings, back and tail. Adults have dark bluish-black cap and back, which also has vertical white stripes. White forehead distinctive, as are chestnut throat and cheeks and bluish-black throat. White belly and flanks. Juveniles similar to adults, but with limited bluish tones and a brown head and breast. Cave Swallow very similar, but has light orange cheeks, a buffy throat that blends with chest, and a chestnut (not white) forehead. Note that the Mexican subspecies of Cliff Swallow has a rusty forehead.
Length: 14 (cm) Wingspan: 29 (cm)
Voice:
Song a series of squeaky twittering notes.
Habitat:
Found in a variety of open habitats, usually near water so that it can gather mud for nesting. Nests on cliffs, bridges, and under the eaves of buildings.
Behavior:
Forms large nesting colonies. May lay eggs in other swallow's nests, or carry their own eggs to a different nest. Often circles high over open areas to feed on insects.
Feeding:
Diet consists almost entirely of flying insects.
Field Notes

They require a source of mud for their nests, and they apparently have specific nesting requirements that are as yet unknown, as their distribution is patchy, and there are many areas that appear to be suitable habitat that host no Cliff Swallows.
Citation: Personal Experience. I observe this regularly, highly confident.
Expanded Life History
Feed Ecology And Diet | Contribute Content |
Nesting Habits | Contribute Content |
Migration Status | Contribute Content |
Conservation Status | Contribute Content |
Local Sites to Spot | Contribute Content |
Abundance Status | Contribute Content |
Adult Male Description | Contribute Content |
Adult Female Description | Contribute Content |
ITIS Taxonomic Number | Contribute Content |
Sonogram | Contribute Content |
Courtship | Contribute Content |
Reproductive Characteristics | Contribute Content |
Relationship to Humans | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Size & Shape | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Color & Pattern | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Habitat | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Behavior | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Wingspan | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Weight | Contribute Content |
Breeding | Contribute Content |
Cool Facts | Contribute Content |
Local Knowledge | Contribute Content |
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Sightings
Date | Submitted By | Count |
---|---|---|
08/28/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/28/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/28/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/14/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/14/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/24/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/24/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/17/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/17/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/10/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/10/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/03/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/03/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
06/26/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
06/26/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
Recent Activity
Activity | Date & Time |
---|---|
JC Blake added a note to Cliff Swallow Notes | 5/11/2013 at 3:29AM |
Jacob Parks added Cliff Swallow to their Vanport Wetlands smart list | 11/02/2011 at 12:49AM |
Dan Mitchell added Cliff Swallow to their Dixie Mountain, North Plains, Oregon smart list | 7/20/2011 at 5:43PM |