The black-collared swallow is a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is rivers—in particular, "rapids and rocky outcrops stretches of medium and large sized rivers." It forages in the rapids, and nests in rocky outcrops. It is threatened by habitat loss from hydropower dams.
Region
Amazon Basin and Guianas
Typical Environment
Occurs along medium to large rivers with rapids from the Guianas and northern Amazonia south through Brazil, Bolivia, and into Paraguay and northern Argentina, and west into parts of Colombia and Venezuela. It is tightly tied to riverine habitats, especially stretches with exposed rocks and turbulent flow. Birds forage primarily over channels, back-eddies, and around rocky islets, occasionally ranging to adjacent sandbars or riverine forest edges. Nest sites are typically on rock ledges, crevices, or small caves in mid-channel outcrops. It avoids open country far from major waterways.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A swift, river-specialist swallow that hunts low over white-water, it is most often seen skimming above rapids and eddies. It nests in small colonies on rocky outcrops and cliff crevices within river channels. Because it depends on free-flowing rivers, it is vulnerable to hydropower dams that flood rapids and alter flow regimes.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile twists and low skimming over water
Social Behavior
Often forms small flocks over productive feeding stretches of river, especially near rapids. Breeds in loose colonies, with pairs nesting in crevices, holes, or ledges on rocky outcrops and river cliffs. Territoriality is focused around nest sites, while feeding areas are commonly shared.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A series of thin, high-pitched twitters and chips, delivered in rapid sequences during flight. Near colonies it gives sharper chittering notes used in contact and alarm.
Plumage
Glossy blue-black upperparts with clean white underparts and rump; a distinct black collar forms across the upper breast and sides of the neck. Tail is shallowly forked, and wings are long and pointed.
Diet
Feeds almost entirely on aerial insects, including mayflies, caddisflies, midges, flies, and flying ants that hatch or drift over white-water. It captures prey on the wing with quick, low passes and deft turns. During hatches, it may concentrate over specific eddies or riffles, joining mixed flocks of other swallows.
Preferred Environment
Most often forages directly above rapids, riffles, and around rocky islets where insect emergence is high. Also hunts along calmer margins, backwaters, and over adjacent sandbars, especially at lower flow.
