[2] This bird is found principally in western and central Mexico, with one record on the Guatemalan border.

This species is essentially a bird of wild highland landscapes, where it favors cliff faces, deep river gorges and high crags.

[2] The adults are brown-black, glossed blue on the back, and have a white crescent on the nape.

It has a powerful, fast and direct flight, and will ascent thermals to great heights.

The nest is typically a shallow depression (made by the parents) in dry sand, usually lacking any materials or saliva, although they are apparently picky about the consistency of the soil used.