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==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
Three subspecies are recognized: | Three subspecies are recognized: | ||
+ | * The nominate ''N. c. cyanoleuca'' - Nicaragua and [[Trinidad]] south to northwestern [[Argentina]], [[Paraguay]] and [[Uruguay]]. | ||
+ | * The migratory southern race, ''N. c. patagonica''. | ||
+ | * ''N. c. peruviana'' - [[Peru]] up to 2500m. | ||
+ | The species is also placed in genus [[:Category:(Notiochelidon|(Notiochelidon]]by some authorities. | ||
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==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Common and widespread, especially in agricultural and urban areas upto 4000m. | Common and widespread, especially in agricultural and urban areas upto 4000m. |
Revision as of 13:15, 10 February 2009
![](/wiki/images/thumb/f/f3/Blue_and_White_Swallow.jpg/550px-Blue_and_White_Swallow.jpg)
Photo by Robert scanlon
Location: La Suiza Nature Reserve, near Pereira, Colombia
- Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Identification
11-12 cm. Dark blue upperparts, white underparts, blackish underwings and undersurface of tail. Juvenile - brown above, buff below, and less forked tail.
Distribution
Nicaragua and South America.
Taxonomy
Three subspecies are recognized:
- The nominate N. c. cyanoleuca - Nicaragua and Trinidad south to northwestern Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
- The migratory southern race, N. c. patagonica.
- N. c. peruviana - Peru up to 2500m.
The species is also placed in genus (Notiochelidonby some authorities.
Habitat
Common and widespread, especially in agricultural and urban areas upto 4000m.
Behaviour
Both sexes build a shallow nest from straw. 6 white eggsare laid and are incubated by both parents for 15 days. Both parents feed the young for 26 days to fledgings. There may be two broods.
The diet includes insects caught aerially.