Photo: David F. Belmonte / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Andean Swallow
Orochelidon andecola
Andean Swallow (Orochelidon andecola) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South America.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Andean Swallow (Orochelidon andecola) is a member of the Hirundinidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 17 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Hirundinidae Swallows, Martins
- Genus Orochelidon
- Species andecola
Quick facts
- Weight
- 17 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Hirundinidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Andean Swallow is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Andean Swallow is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Andean Swallow (Orochelidon andecola) is a member of the Hirundinidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA c Peru to nw Argentina.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 17 g, with a wing length of about 12 cm and a tail of around 5.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 506,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Andean Swallow?
The Andean Swallow is a small bird that weighs around 17 g.
Where does the Andean Swallow live?
The Andean Swallow is found across South America with a range covering SA c Peru to nw Argentina, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Andean Swallow belong to?
The Andean Swallow (Orochelidon andecola) belongs to the Hirundinidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Andean Swallow eat?
The Andean Swallow is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Andean Swallow migrate?
The Andean Swallow is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Andean Swallow endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Andean Swallow make?
1 real field recording of the Andean Swallow — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Andean Swallow's range?
The Andean Swallow has a mapped global range of about 506,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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