Diet

• Primarily flying insects, including flies, mosquitoes, midges, beetles, ants, termites, bees, wasps, and other aerial arthropods.

• Feeds almost entirely on insects captured in flight, often flying low over rivers, lakes, wetlands, fields, and forest edges.

• Frequently forages alone or in small loose flocks, occasionally mixed with other swallow species.

Range

• Breeds across much of North America, from southern Canada through the United States and into Mexico.

• Northern populations winter from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, and northern South America, while many Mexican populations are year-round residents.

• In the Zihuatanejo region, it is a common resident and winter visitor.

• Inhabits rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, coastal lagoons, woodland edges, agricultural areas, road cuts, and urban areas, usually near open water or exposed banks suitable for nesting.

Male / Female

• Male: Plain brown upperparts with a slightly paler gray-brown throat and breast, whitish belly, short square tail, and slender dark bill. The outer primary feathers have tiny serrations ("rough wings") used during courtship, although these are not visible in the field.

• Female: Nearly identical in plumage and size but lacks the pronounced serrations on the outer primary feathers.

• Juveniles: Similar to adults but with buff-edged wing feathers and slightly warmer brown plumage.

• Sexes cannot be reliably distinguished in the field, as the male's serrated wing feathers require close examination.

Size

• Length: 13–15 cm (5.1–5.9 in)

• Wingspan: 30–34 cm (11.8–13.4 in)

• Weight: 10–18 g (0.35–0.63 oz)