Species:

Northern Rough Winged Swallow

Time in Care:

12 Days

Status:

Released

Spoiler alert for a future 12 days entry, but we’ve had a LOT of swallows in care this year. Patient 2546 however stands apart from the flock, this juvenile we had in care for less than two weeks was a northern rough-winged swallow and the only of his species that we had in care this year. 2546 was brought in because its nest had fallen, something that unfortunately happens too often with precarious nests. From his intake to his release, 2546 was energetic and ready to be back out in the world, avoiding our staff at every conceivable opportunity. 

Luckily, Patient 2546 only needed a bit of care and attention before an eventual release back into the wild. Only 12 days after he was brought into SBWCN he was released.

Northern Rough Winged Swallow Facts:

• They're named for the tiny hook-like barbs on the outer edge of their primary wing feathers, which only adult males display.
• Instead of building mud nests like cliff swallows, they prefer to nest in horizontal burrows on the ground.
• Unlike their highly social cousins, Northern Rough-winged Swallows are usually found in pairs or small groups, not huge colonies.
• In summer, they breed throughout most of the U.S., parts of Canada, and Mexico, and migrate to Central America for winter.