About Petrochelidon rufocollaris (Peale, 1848)
The chestnut-collared swallow, scientific name Petrochelidon rufocollaris (Peale, 1848), measures 12 to 12.5 cm (4.7 to 4.9 in) in length and weighs 14 to 18 g (0.49 to 0.63 oz). Both sexes of both recognized subspecies have essentially identical plumage. Adult individuals have a dark chestnut forecrown and hindneck. Their crown and back are glossy blue-black, with white streaks on the mantle, and their rump is chestnut. Their ear coverts and throat are white, sometimes with a faint buff tinge. Their wings and tail are blackish brown. Their underparts are partially white, marked by a rufous-chestnut band across the upper breast, rufous-chestnut flanks, and a brown or chestnut vent. They have a black bill, pinkish brown legs, and black feet. Juveniles are duller and browner than adult birds. Of the two subspecies of chestnut-collared swallow, P. r. aequatorialis is the more northerly distributed. It occurs in southwestern Ecuador, from central Manabí Province south to the Peruvian border in Loja Province. The nominate subspecies is found from this border area south through Peru's Lima Department. The species primarily inhabits agricultural areas and the towns associated with these areas. In elevation, it ranges from sea level to about 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in Ecuador, and up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in Peru.
