Cliff Swallow Photo Gallery
Adult
Compact swallow with pointed, broad pointed wings, a small head, and a squared tail. In good light, adults have metallic, dark-blue backs and pale, cinnamon rumps. Their face is rusty with a white forehead.
© Caleb Putnam / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, April 30, 2020Adult
Builds nests made of mud, which they cement to the walls of cliff ledges, under bridges, eaves, and culverts.
© Eric Liner / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 24, 2007Not all videos have soundAdult
Compact swallow with a small head and squared tail. In flight note, pale rump patch and collar.
© Bryan Calk / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 25, 2019Juvenile
Juveniles look like messy adults with rusty or brown faces and a dingy breast.
© Mary Rumple / Macaulay LibraryIdaho, July 28, 2017Adult
Adults are dark blue above, but appear black in poor light. Key identification features include the pale rump and forehead and rusty cheeks.
© David Carr / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, May 06, 2017Flock
Groups gather mud in their bills along streambanks, lakesides, or puddles to build their nests.
© Matthew Pendleton / Macaulay LibraryUtah, May 10, 2016Habitat
Builds mud nests in colonies on cliff ledges or under bridges, eaves, and culverts.
© Mitch Walters / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 17, 2016Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
Swallows(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Hirundinidae)
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.