Cave Swallow
Petrochelidon fulva
Also known as: Cinnamon-Throated Swallow
About This Species
Breeds colonially in caves, culverts, and under bridges across the southern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean, foraging in fast, twisting flight low over open ground near its roost. Large colonies can be observed gathering at dusk as birds return to roost, with a distinctive squeaky, chattering call overhead. Numbers peak during the breeding season from spring through summer, when colonies are most active.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Watching from outside a cave or beneath a bridge without entering the roost site avoids disturbing a colony that can number in the thousands.
- In the United States it is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prohibits disturbing active nests, while protections and enforcement differ in Mexico and other range countries.
- Entering roost caves or bridge undersides during the breeding season risks flushing large numbers of birds at once and should be avoided.
LCAvesPasseriformesHirundinidae
Seasonal Activity
178,940 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Hirundinidae
Photo
(c) Ad Konings, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ad Konings
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.