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Class Aves
Order Passeriformes
Family Hirundinidae

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Hirundinidae—Swallows

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Hirundo rustica Linnaeus 1758—Barn SwallowPleistocene regional distribution of Hirundo rustica

Sites.

Late Wisconsin/Holocene: Stanton's Cave (Rea and Hargrave 1984).

Literature. Rea and Hargrave 1984.

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Petrochelidon fulva/pyrrhonota—Cave Swallow or Cliff SwallowPleistocene regional distribution of Petrochelidon fulva/pyrrhonota

Synonyms. Hirundo fulva, Hirundo pyrrhonota

Cliff and Cave Swallows are closely related. The Cliff Swallow currently is widely distributed over the region, whereas the Cave Swallow reaches west and north to the Guadalupe Mountains region. Preferred nesting sites make both of these species liable to ending up in cave fill. In the mid-sixties, Dry Cave had a few remnants of nests in the Entrance Chamber, but not enough remained to determine the species involved. The Cave Swallow currently nests in Sierra Diablo Cave; preservational data suggest pre-Holocene occurrences, also.

Petrochelidon carpometacarpus

Fig. 1. Carpometacarpus of Petrochelidon fulva/pyrrhonota (probably Holocene).

Sites.

Mid/Late Wisconsin/Holocene: Sierra Diablo Cave (UTEP).

Late Wisconsin: Charlies Parlor (Harris 1989: cf.); TT II (Harris 1993c).

Literature. Harris 1989, 1993c.

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Last Update: 17 Jan 2012