Survey of Nesting by Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) and Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) at Highway Bridges in Southern Arkansas

Abstract

The Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) and Bam Swallow (Hinmdo rustica) both are migratory species that, in Arkansas, were known to nest only in the northern part of the state until the mid to late 1900s. The construction of concrete bridges apparently provided suitable nesting structure for both species. I conducted a survey of bridges along highways in southern Arkansas to look for evidence of nesting by these species. Nests of CliffSwallows were found in AsWey, Bradley, Clark, Cleveland, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Howard, Lafayette, Lincoln, Little River, Miller, Nevada, Ouachita, Pike, Sevier, and Union Counties. Nests of Barn Swallows were more widespread and occurred in all counties surveyed.