High in the mountains of Costa Rica, where the air is crisp and the views are endless, you might catch a glimpse of a little brown acrobat flitting through the air. This, my friends, is the Southern Rough-winged Swallow, a common sight around our retreat and a fascinating resident of the Neotropics.

Recognizing the Rough-winged Resident

The Southern Rough-winged Swallow is a small bird, measuring around 5.1 inches long. Its upper body is a warm brown with a paler rump, which you might notice as it swoops by. Look for a rufous (rusty brown) colored throat that transitions to a brownish breast and underparts, with a surprising white patch in the center of its belly. Unlike the Barn Swallow, a close relative, the Southern Rough-winged Swallow has a square tail, adding a distinctive touch to its silhouette.

Habitat and Habits

While you might find the Southern Rough-winged Swallow in open areas and forest clearings, it particularly favors the lowlands and areas near water bodies. So keep an eye out for them along the banks of rivers and streams that wind through the retreat’s property. These swallows are most active during the day, soaring through the air in small groups or pairs. They’re not the most acrobatic flyers you’ll see, favoring straighter paths over the fancy twists and turns of some other swallow species.

A Master of the Burrow

Unlike some birds that build elaborate nests in trees, the Southern Rough-winged Swallow is a burrower. They create their homes by excavating tunnels in earthen banks, often utilizing existing holes left behind by other creatures like kingfishers. This burrowing behavior is where their scientific name, Stelgidopteryx ruficollis, comes from – with “Stelgidopteryx” translating to “roofed wing” and referencing their preference for sheltered nesting sites.

A Feast on the Wing

The Southern Rough-winged Swallow is an insectivore, feeding primarily on small flying insects that it catches mid-air. Their diet consists of a variety of flying bugs, making them welcome guests around the retreat as they help control insect populations. You’ll often see them flying low over water or open ground, their keen eyes searching for their next tasty morsel.

Southern Charm Takes Flight

The Southern Rough-winged Swallow might be a small bird, but it adds a delightful bit of life to the mountain paradise of our Costa Rican retreat. So, the next time you’re relaxing by the stream or enjoying a breathtaking vista, keep your eyes peeled for this little brown wonder flitting through the air.

If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of them perched on a wire or a dead branch, taking a moment’s rest before continuing their aerial ballet. As always, feel free to ask our on-site naturalists any questions you have about this fascinating swallow or the many other avian wonders that call Costa Rica home.

For more information, please view our comprehensive guide about the birds of Costa Rica

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