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Andean Swallow - BirdForum Opus

Subspecies oroyae
Photo by Stanley Jones
Ticlio Pass eastern-slope of the Central Andes, Junín, Peru, August 2017
Orochelidon andecola

Identification

14 cm (5½ in)

  • Bluish-black glossed crown and upperparts
  • Brownish rump
  • Brownish-black wings and tail
  • Greyish-brown underparts

Distribution

Juvenile, Subspecies oroyae
Photo by Stanley Jones
Ticlio Pass eastern-slope of the Central Andes, Junín, Peru, August 2017

Found in southern South America from Peru over Bolivia to Argentina and Chile.

Taxonomy

The taxonomic placement of this species has changed several times. It was formerly placed in genus Hirundo, then in Stelgidopteryx and now either in Haplochelidon or Orochelidon.

Subspecies

There are 2 subspecies[1]:

  • O. a. andecola:
  • O. a. oroyae:
  • Puna of central Peru

Habitat

Shrubland and grassland in high altitudes.

Behaviour

Breeding

Often uses holes or cracks in walls of houses for nesting. They breed near cliffs and human habitation.

Diet

Not completely known, but appears to be aerial insects. They feed both individually or in small groups.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. SACC proposal to rearrange the taxonomy of South American Swallows
  3. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved Oct 2017)

Recommended Citation

External Links

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.

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