WILD FACTS

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Average Size

Length: 5-6 in. long
Wgt.: 13-16g

Food

Flying insects are main food; principle prey items are various flies, winged ants and wasps and beetles

Breeding and Young

One clutch per season, 4-8 young per clutch; incubation by female; incubation 15-17 days and young can leave nest 19-20 days after hatching; apparently rarely parasitized by cowbirds

Life Expectancy

At least 5 years, few banding records exist

Threats

Lack of suitable natural nest sites limits populations in some areas. Some collisions with vehicles and also some nests flooded due to artificial water fluctuations. No information on effects of pesticides on and other toxics on feeding birds. Ingestion of heavy metals is a possibility in some areas.

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