Tachycineta albiventer
White-winged Swallow
photo needed!
Photo © ?
The White-winged Swallow is widely distributed in South America, occurring in the north from Colombia and Venezuela, south through Amazonia into northern Argentina. It does not occur on the Pacific slope of the Andes. Although reportedly common in many areas, population sizes are unknown. White-winged Swallows favor open, lowland areas, including mangroves, lakes and large rivers, marshes and sandy beaches of the coast. It occurs also in flooded llanos as well as dry savanna areas. This species is resident year-round through most of its range, but populations in southern Brazil and northern Argentina are migratory.

White-winged Swallows forage predominantly over water and open ground, using a direct flapping flight with little gliding.

Breeding commences in January or February in the northern parts of the range (Colombia, Venezuela), but does not begin until April in Trinidad. South of the Equator, breeding occurs from September to April, but precise dates are not known. Nest sites include holes, but also crevices in rocks and cliffs. Nests are constructed of fine grasses and roots, lined with feathers.

Few data are available on clutch sizes, but clutches of three to six were recorded in Trinidad (ffrench 1980), four-five in the Orinoco region of Venezuela (Cherrie 1916). No data are available on incubation period, the duration of the nestling phase, or on whether this species raises more than a single brood per season.