Cave swallows are found in Mexico and the Greater Antilles, with fall and winter vagrants reaching the east and Gulf Coasts of the U.S.

The genus Petrochelidon is a collection of cliff-nesting swallows and martins, though only the two South American subspecies prefer nesting on cliff-faces.

P. f. citata and P. f. pallida are generally accepted as distinct subspecies of P. fulva; however, cytochrome b and microsatellite data support an emerging consensus that P. f. rufocollaris should in fact be considered its own species within Petrochelidon.

P. f. aequatorialis and P. f. rufocollaris, the South American subspecies, prefer to nest in open areas such as on cliff faces and the sides of buildings.

All subspecies of the cave swallow forage for insects over open areas and water nearby their roosting sites.

[2] Their spring and fall migrations are poorly known; however, P. f. citata, P. f. aequatorialis and P. f. rufocollaris are considered resident species and winter in their breeding range.

There is currently no data regarding differences in vocalizations between the subspecies of cave swallows; however, the following descriptions are based on observations of P. f. pallida.

During the nesting season, adult cave swallows preferentially forage in the early hours of the morning and in the late afternoon.

They capture a wide variety of insects during the nesting season, included species from the families Acrididae, Lygaeidae, Reduviidae, and others.

A benefit to nesting in colonies could be the ability to share and procure information about food sources from neighbouring birds while raising chicks.

[2][7] North American subspecies are currently undergoing a human-facilitated range expansion due to the increased availability of alternative nesting sites.

[8] Cave swallows are open-cup nesters, meaning they build a nest shaped like a cup with the top left open for them to fly in and out.

[7][10] While the use of human-made nesting sites has allowed the cave swallow to greatly increase its range across North America, it may come with its own risks.

[7] Cave swallow eggs are elliptical ovate in shape and typically white in colour with some variation of fine spotting of light to dark brown or even lilac and dull purple.

[2] Both parents will feed the nestlings small insects throughout the day and will defend the nest if threatened by swooping and loudly calling at the threat.