The Northern Rough-winged Swallow is a plain, brown-backed swallow with a dingy throat that nests in holes in stream banks, culverts, and crevices in walls, often using abandoned kingfisher or Bank Swallow burrows. Its name refers to tiny hook-like serrations on the outer primary feathers, the function of which is unknown. It is typically seen singly or in small groups rather than the large colonies of Cliff and Bank Swallows.
Best time to see a Northern Rough-winged Swallow
The best time to see a Northern Rough-winged Swallow is March–May, when about 69% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 22,043 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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