Idaho · Summer breeder

Barn Swallows in Idaho

When barn swallows are present in Idaho, when they nest, which native Idaho plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–7b yard.

Swallows (Hirundinidae)Barn SwallowHirundo rustica

Status in Idaho: Summer breeder
Nesting window: May–July
Broods: 1–2 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 3b–7b

When to expect barn swallows in Idaho

Barn Swallows are summer residents in Idaho, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on flies, beetles and moths.

Semi-arid sagebrush plains along the Snake River and forested mountains to the north and center.

Nesting in Idaho

Across Idaho, barn swallows typically nest from May–July. Nest site: mud cup on beams and ledges under shelter. Females lay 3–7 eggs, incubate for 12–17 days, and young leave the nest after 15–27 days.

Hot, dry summers in the Snake River Plain and cool mountain summers.

Barn Swallows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, chokecherry, common hackberry for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Idaho plants that attract barn swallows

Of the regional native plants we track for Idaho, these 8 provide food or cover barn swallows use:

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Common hackberry

Celtis occidentalis · Tree

Sweet dry fruit on the branch all winter.

Ponderosa pine

Pinus ponderosa · Tree

Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.

Rabbitbrush

Ericameria nauseosa · Shrub

Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.

Douglas fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii · Tree

Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.

Willow (Bebb)

Salix bebbiana · Shrub

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.

Feeding barn swallows through the Idaho year

Barn swallows nest on ledges under eaves and in barns; an open-front ledge shelf gives them a site.

Best foods: .
In Idaho's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for barn swallows

Frequently asked

Are barn swallows in Idaho year-round?

No. Barn Swallows are summer breeders in Idaho and leave for the winter.

When do barn swallows nest in Idaho?

Nesting in Idaho typically runs May–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 3–7 eggs, incubated for 12–17 days.

What native plants attract barn swallows in Idaho?

Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Common hackberry, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Douglas fir, Willow (Bebb) are native plants in Idaho that provide food or cover for barn swallows.

Other backyard birds in Idaho

Black-capped Chickadee Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren House Finch Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Red-winged Blackbird Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Gray Catbird Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Steller's Jay Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit Juniper Titmouse Pygmy Nuthatch Black-chinned Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Broad-tailed Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Cassin's Finch Spotted Towhee California Quail Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Varied Thrush Violet-green Swallow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.