Pygochelidon melanoleuca
The Black-collared Swallow (Pygochelidon melanoleuca) is a small, agile passerine endemic to South America, instantly recognizable by its striking plumage. Measuring approximately 12-13 cm in length with a wingspan of about 28 cm, this slender bird boasts glossy, iridescent blue-black upperparts that contrast sharply with its pristine white underparts. A definitive field mark is the prominent, narrow black band or 'collar' across its white breast, giving the species its common name. Its long,...
Found in open country, often near water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and marshes. It adapts well to human-modified landscapes, frequently nesting on bridges and buildings, ranging from sea level to over 2,500 meters in elevation.
Exclusively insectivorous, feeding primarily on a variety of flying insects caught in mid-air through agile aerial pursuit.
Black-collared Swallows are highly diurnal and gregarious, often seen foraging in mixed-species flocks or roosting communally in large numbers, particularly outside the breeding season, often on cliff faces or under bridges. Their foraging strategy involves continuous aerial pursuit of flying ins...
The Black-collared Swallow is widely distributed across much of South America, with its primary range extending from northern Colombia and Venezuela southward through the Andes foothills and adjacent lowlands. Its distribution encompasses eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, southern...
Least Concern
- The Black-collared Swallow was once classified in the genus Notiochelidon but was reclassified into Pygochelidon based on genetic studies, reflecting its closer relationship to the Blue-and-white Swallow. - These highly adaptable birds frequently utilize human-made structures like bridges, culv...