And Another--Cave Swallow in Mississippi County

[mpruitt]

This morning I got up and headed straight for the moist soils unit at Big Lake NWR in Mississippi Co. The goal was photographing a Bronze Copper, but I got more than that. After having my first photo shoot with the coppers, I headed back to the Hwy. 18 bridge to check out a group of swallows on the power line. It wasn't long before I had found one that was much lighter than the rest....a cinnamon buff on the throat, cheeks, back of neck, and forehead....a Cave Swallow! 

As a disclaimer: These photos are poor quality, I know. That's what happens when the closest you're able to get due to open water and a busy bridge is about 80 yards.

The first photo is for comparison to a nearby Cliff Swallow (facing the camera).

In this second photo DSC_217.3, you can really see all that cinnamon buff color on the head. Noticeably different than in a nearby Cliff in another photo. Also, from what is in view of the breast, there isn't much of a contrast with the white. All that cinnamon just blends in real nice. These shots are bad for this, but if you look close you can see the seemingly higher-capped appearance that this bird has due to the contrast between the blue and buff.

In talking to Charles Mills, this bird may be consistent with an older juvenile. Some lighter, molting spots can be seen on the throat and on the forehead patch. Maybe even a little bit on the back and wings, though this individual is clearly coming along nicely into more adult-like plumage.

Not the last thing I would've expected to see when photographing the butterflies, but not high up on the list either! I was disappointed to not have had time to stop in SW Ark. for the swallows on the way through a few days ago. Funny how birds come sometimes.

~Mitchell Pruitt

[kingbird]

Nice find, Mitchell!



KN

[dhaynes]

Nice Mitchell!!!

[asilidman]

Very neat Mitchell, well done....we looked at the swallows on the wire and speculated about one of them but didn't for a minute think there actually could be cave swallows up here!

Cheryl and Norman

[asilidman]

Also Mitchell, I hope you told or will tell the Refuge Manager. I think he'd like to know about the swallow.
Cheryl

[swampfox]

5 days ago, I wrote "....I suspect the scrutinizing of flocks of migrant swallows in other sections of the state will also yield, at least, occasional Cave Swallows...." in my post "Another SW AR Cave Swallow. Is 2013 the breakout year?" On the same date, I told Mitchell in an email exchange that he'd eventually find the species in the Jonesboro area. I don't know why he was in such a rush :-)

In the past Birding magazine published a series of articles on species that could show up anytime/anywhere. The anytime part might be a bit of a stretch but I think Cave Swallows are viable candidates to appear, at least as migrants, anywhere in Arkansas during mid-to-late summer into autumn. And, like a number of species who expanded their breeding range from Texas into Arkansas (Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Greater Roadrunner, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Great-tailed Grackle, etc.), I expect them to make their initial thrust into the state initially via the Red River Valley and, secondarily, via the Arkansas River Valley.

C. Mills

[mpruitt]

Like I said, I wasn't expecting it. I didn't think the FIRST group I looked at would have one! Who knows where all they are....moral of the story: check those Cliff Swallows!

Cheryl, do you have an email for the refuge manager?

[michael]

Excellent find.
I spent lunch looking at swallows in Faulkner county after Charles said to look everywhere. I didn't find any but it will not keep me from looking another day...
Michael

[asilidman]

Mitchell. I don't as yet. He took our e-mail but hasn't written yet. He said the headquarters are left open even when he isn't there so you could call in and leave a written message if you are out there. I'm afraid I didn't even register his name.