Which swallow? Ottawa, Canada (1 Viewer)

[Gillian_M]

Hello! I was at the river today and had a small number of swallows hawking for insects. I can identify Tree and Barn Swallow on the wing, but there were some brown swallows which I couldn't identify. I found two perching in a tree, and got pictures of them both. The angle is not great, however. I'm wondering if enough of the bird is visible to determine whether these are Bank or Northern Rough-winged Swallows? I'm leaning toward rough-winged as there is no sharp line separating the brown on the underside from the white, but I'm not sure. I tried to move into a better position but they flew off when I did.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[phil baber]

I think the brown breast and sides show this to be Northern Rough-winged Swallow.
Here's a shot from a similar angle.

http://www.google.cz/imgres?imgurl=...4gacjeiYCg&page=1&ndsp=14&ved=1t:429,r:13,s:0

 

[rb_stern]

Hi Gillian,

Agreed - short tail, brown throat and breast with irregular fading into paler underparts all suggest N. Rough-winged.

Richard

 

[Reuven_M]

Rough-wings. I don't think banks have arrived yet.

 

[Gillian_M]

Awesome, thanks for the confirmations! Another year-bird for me today!

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

Rough-wings. I don't think banks have arrived yet.

Banks haven't come back to PA yet. Rough-legs have been here for a couple of weeks already.

 

[borealowl47]

Nice year bird ,still waiting for swallows to arrive!