Or perhaps an odd Barn Swallow. That species is highly variable
throughout its near global range.

Gene Hunn.

On Wed, 23 Aug 1995, Alvaro Jaramillo wrote:

> >>From Russell Rogers, Seattle WA, rrogers at halcyon.com
> >
> >This past weekend Steve Mlodinow and I saw an apparent hybrid Cliff X
> >Barn Swallow at Deer Lagoon on Whidbey Island. The bird had the buffy
> >rump of a Cliff, and the forked tail with white tail spots of a Barn. The
> >face patern resembeled a Cliff with, but the forhead was orange, not
> >buffy. The underside was orange like a barn. We watched it off and on for
> >about 15 minutes. It was actively feeding with a mixed flock of most Barn
> >Swallows. Other swallows were Tree, Violet-green, Rough-winged, and Cliff.
> >
> Wow, good find!
>
> Hybrids between these two species are extremely rare but there are at least
> two specimens known, one from TExas the other from Pennsylvania. However,
> hybrids between Cave and Barn swallows are more common (look up Martin, R.F.
> 1980. Analysis of hybridization between the hirundinid genera Hirundo and
> Petrochelidon in Texas. Auk 97: 148-159.). Now the question is, could it
> have been a hybrid Cave x Barn?
>
> Take care,
>
> Alvaro Jaramillo
> Half Moon Bay, CA
>
> alvaro at quake.net
>
>