| Blue-and-white swallow | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Hirundinidae |
| Genus: | Pygochelidon |
| Species: | P. cyanoleuca |
| Binomial name | |
| Pygochelidon cyanoleuca (Vieillot, 1817) | |
 | |
| Range map of Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) Breeding Year-round Non-breeding | |
| Synonyms | |
Hirundo cyanoleucaVieillot, 1817 | |
Theblue-and-white swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) is apasserinebird that breeds fromNicaragua south throughoutSouth America, except in the deserts and theAmazon Basin. The southern race ismigratory, wintering as far north asTrinidad, where it is a regular visitor. The nominate northern race may have bred on that island.[2]
The blue-and-white swallow was firstformally described asHirundo cyanoleuca by the FrenchornithologistLouis Pierre Vieillot in 1817, based on a specimen he believed to be fromParaguay.[3] Thescientific name has the same meaning as the English common name.
This species was formerly placed in the genusNotiochelidon. It was moved to the resurrected genusPygochelidon based on a phylogenetic study published in 2005.[4][5][6]
Threesubspecies are recognised:[6]
The adult blue-and-white swallow averages 11–12 cm (4.3–4.7 in) long and weighs about 10 g (0.35 oz). It has dark blue upperparts and white underparts, and its underwings and the undersurface of its short forked tail are blackish. The juvenile is brown above, buff-tinted below, and has a less forked tail. The call is a buzzingdzzzhreeee.[7]
There are threesubspecies. The nominateN. c. cyanoleuca occurs from Nicaragua and Trinidad south to northwesternArgentina,Paraguay andUruguay. The migratory southern raceN. c. patagonica is larger, 13.5 cm (5.3 in), has paler underwings, and white basal undertail coverts.N. c. peruviana is restricted to coastalPeru up to 2,500 m (8,200 ft) altitude. It is smaller thanpatagonica, has less white in the undertail, darker underwings and duskier flanks.[7]
This is aswallow of open areas including villages and towns, farms, and forest clearings. InCentral America, it is a highland bird, but elsewhere in its range it can occur from the lowlands to an altitude of 4,000 m (13,000 ft).[7][8]
This species is often found in small flocks when not breeding. The blue-and-white swallow subsists primarily on a diet ofinsects, caught in the air; they have been seen to gather wheretermites swarm.[9] The flight is typically fluttery, and this swallow frequently perches on wires or branches.[7]
The blue-and-white swallow's shallow straw nest is built by both adults in a wide range of natural or man-made cavities include tree holes, rock crevices and bridges. The clutch is up to six white eggs in the south of the range, two or three in the north, which are incubated by both parents for 15 days to hatching. The nestlings are fed by both parents for 26 days to fledging, but return to the nest to sleep with the parents for up to two months. There may be two broods.[7]
This common and popular species has benefited greatly from deforestation and human settlement which have increased the amount of suitable habitat and food.[7] Consequently, it is not considered threatened by theIUCN.[1][10]
