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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. CXLIV
Field-journal plate: Mangrove Swallow
The Mangrove Swallow plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate CXLIV

Mangrove Swallow

Tachycineta albilinea

Hirundinidae · Taxon 11930

Length11–12 cm
Wingspanapproximately 28 cm
Weightabout 14 g

Field marks

  1. Iridescent blue-green crown and upperparts
  2. Clean white throat, breast, and belly
  3. Large, conspicuous white rump patch
  4. Narrow white supraloral chevron above the black lores
  5. Small black bill with dark eyes and short dark legs
  6. Long, pointed blackish wings and a shallow-forked dark tail

HabitatTropical lowlands around still or slow-moving open water, including mangrove forest, coastal lagoons, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and intertidal areas; nesting requires nearby cavities in trees, stumps, rocks, structures, or nest boxes.

BehaviorAn aerial insectivore that hunts with quick wingbeats and short glides, usually low over water. Frequently perches between foraging flights. Territorial and often solitary or paired while breeding, but may join small flocks outside the breeding period. Nests in low natural or artificial cavities near water.

Palette

iridescent blue-greenclean whitesooty blackdark brown