Description
The Alpine Swallow belongs to the swallow family and is characterized by grayish-brown plumage with a darker tint on the wings and a short, square tail. It prefers mountainous and steep habitats, where it builds its nest under rock overhangs. The breeding season runs from spring to summer, and nesting takes place in cavities or on rock faces. In recent decades, this species has adapted to man-made structures and is increasingly nesting in urban areas as well.
The Situation in Italian-Speaking Switzerland
The Alpine Swallow is widely distributed throughout the Alps. Over the past twenty years, the species has expanded significantly into low-altitude and lowland areas and is now found throughout Ticino. At higher elevations, it nests in rocky areas and on large cliffs; at lower elevations, it has also established itself in urban areas, using viaducts, tunnels, and tall buildings to build its nests.
- Ptyonoprogne rupestris
- Hirondelle de rochers
- Felsenschwalbe
- Rondina da crap
- Eurasian Crag Martin
- 15 cm
- 32–34 cm
