Like the other swallows we've featured this week, the diet of the Northern Rough-winged Swallow is primarily composed of insects. Their aerial hunting skills allow them to catch a wide variety of prey, including flies, beetles, and moths, directly from the air. This diet makes them beneficial for natural pest control, helping to manage insect populations in their environments.

Northern Rough-winged Swallows are quite versatile in terms of habitat, found across a broad range of North America during the breeding season, from Canada to Mexico. They prefer open habitats near water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and streams, where they can easily find insects to eat and suitable nesting sites.

Nesting is a unique process for this species. They often excavate tunnels in sandy or gravelly banks or take advantage of natural cavities and man-made structures to lay their eggs. The nests are usually lined with soft materials for the eggs and developing chicks. This behavior demonstrates their ability to thrive in a variety of conditions and utilize what the environment offers for their reproductive success.

Despite their unassuming appearance, Northern Rough-winged Swallows play a significant role in their ecosystems as insectivores and as part of the avian biodiversity. Their presence across North America's skies and waterways is a reminder of the subtle beauty and complexity of nature's creations.