Diet
What do northern rough-winged swallows eat?
Flying insects caught low over water.
Swallows (Hirundinidae)Northern Rough-winged SwallowStelgidopteryx serripennis
Spring and summer diet
- Flies, midges, beetles and winged ants
Fall and winter diet
- Migrates to Mexico and Central America
Best feeder foods
- None — open water and earth banks are the draw
Nests in drainpipes, culverts and bank holes rather than colonies; often the first swallow over a pond.
Which feeder works best for northern rough-winged swallows →
Frequently asked
What do northern rough-winged swallows eat?
Flying insects caught low over water.
What is the best food to feed northern rough-winged swallows?
None — open water and earth banks are the draw.
What do northern rough-winged swallows eat in winter?
Migrates to Mexico and Central America.
Sources
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.