loading...
A photo of a Mangrove Swallow (Tachycineta albilinea)
Mangrove Swallow

Mangrove Swallow

Tachycineta albilinea

The mangrove swallow (Tachycineta albilinea) is a passerine bird in the swallow family that breeds in coastal regions from Mexico through Central America to Panama. It has blue-green upperparts, blackish flight feathers, a white rump, a black tail, and white underparts. It can be identified by the supraloral white streak, the white line near its eye, which only occurs in two other species of Tachycineta: the violet-green swallow and the white-rumped swallow. The sexes, although similar in plumage, differ slightly in size. The juveniles have grey-brown upperparts and white-washed underparts. This swallow's song is generally described as a soft trilling, with a rolled jeerrt call, and a sharp alarm note. The mangrove swallow is very territorial when breeding, much like the related tree swallow. Its nest is normally built in a hole or crevice near water and less than 2 metres (7 ft) above the ground. This species usually feeds alone when breeding, but will feed in groups when not. It normally forages closer to the nest when hunting for its chicks, but will go much further when foraging for itself. In between foraging attempts, it is frequently seen perching near water. It is an aerial insectivore and eats unusually large prey for its size. With an estimated population of at least 500,000 individuals, the mangrove swallow is classified as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Its numbers are decreasing, although not fast enough for it to be classified as vulnerable. Little is known about the predation of this species, although it is a host of Sternostoma hirundinis, a type of nasal mite. It has also been known to lose nests both to termites and black flies.
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community of curious everyday people connecting with the natural world
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community

Mangrove Swallows on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A map showing the sighting location
🐦
Sarah Dodgson
Saturday 05 Aug 2023 - 12:08am
Panama
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Zac Peterson
Zac Peterson
Tuesday 01 Aug 2023 - 9:00am
Guatemala
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Zac Peterson
Zac Peterson
Sunday 30 Jul 2023 - 3:22pm
Guatemala
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Zac Peterson
Zac Peterson
Sunday 30 Jul 2023 - 1:51pm
Guatemala
Connect with nature,
Find your flock
Download Birda - QR Code
© 2023 All rights reserved