Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

It builds gourd-shaped mud nests on cliffs and under bridges, and its scientific name means 'stone swallow.' The second half, pyrrhonota, means 'flame-backed,' for its rusty rump.

Petrochelidon joins the Greek petros, 'stone,' and khelidōn, 'swallow'; pyrrhonota joins purrhos, 'flame-colored,' and nōtos, 'back.' The bird 'swallow' and the verb 'to swallow' only look alike: they come from two different Old English words.