Northern Rough-wing Swallow Photographs
at the Nest Cavity, May 26, 2007
Yavapai County, Arizona
Photos by Greg Clark
Northern
Rough-wing Swallows are cavity nesters and often use the burrows
of animals for nest sites. At this location the probable cavity
builder is the
Rock Squirrel. Rock Squirrels have been common at this site
near Skull Valley, Arizona for several years. About 10 swallows
were present at this cut into a small hill for a railroad, and
several cavitys were active with the adults bringing food to somebody
inside. These photos were taken from too far way to see if a juvenile
was inside, but it seems likely since two adults were busy bringing
food to the nest.
This swallow is widely distributed in North American and down
to Central America. nevertheless, finding a nest for this species
is always unusual. In ten years of looking at this site there
were no swallows present, much less nesting in the side of the
hill cut.
An elegant bird, with soft browns, whites, and tans, the Northern
Rough-wing Swallow may not be as colorful as a Violet Green Swallow,
but it has considerable beauty in it's earth-tone combinations.
Here
one of the adults flies off for more bugs for the hungry family
to feed in the cavity.
Update: During repeat surveys in 2011 and 2012 the swallows, like before 2007, did not appear to be using this nest location.
Northern
Rough-wing Swallows are cavity nesters and often use the burrows
of animals for nest sites. At this location the probable cavity
builder is the
Rock Squirrel. Rock Squirrels have been common at this site
near Skull Valley, Arizona for several years. About 10 swallows
were present at this cut into a small hill for a railroad, and
several cavitys were active with the adults bringing food to somebody
inside. These photos were taken from too far way to see if a juvenile
was inside, but it seems likely since two adults were busy bringing
food to the nest.
Here
one of the adults flies off for more bugs for the hungry family
to feed in the cavity.