Barn Swallows in Northwest Territories
When barn swallows are present in Northwest Territories, when they nest, which native Northwest Territories plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–1a yard.
- Status in Northwest Territories
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–1a
When to expect barn swallows in Northwest Territories
Barn Swallows are summer residents in Northwest Territories, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on flies, beetles and moths.
Subarctic boreal forest in the south, Arctic tundra in the north.
Nesting in Northwest Territories
Across Northwest Territories, barn swallows typically nest from June–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.
Brief summers with midnight sun.
- Barn Swallows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, chokecherry, balsam fir for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Northwest Territories plants that attract barn swallows
Of the regional native plants we track for Northwest Territories, these 7 provide food or cover barn swallows use:
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Spruce-budworm habitat and dense winter roosting cover.
Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.
Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.
Feeding barn swallows through the Northwest Territories year
Barn swallows nest on ledges under eaves and in barns; an open-front ledge shelf gives them a site.
- Best foods: .
- In Northwest Territories's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are barn swallows in Northwest Territories year-round?
No. Barn Swallows are summer breeders in Northwest Territories and leave for the winter.
When do barn swallows nest in Northwest Territories?
Nesting in Northwest Territories typically runs June–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 3–7 eggs, incubated for 12–17 days.
What native plants attract barn swallows in Northwest Territories?
Paper birch, Chokecherry, Balsam fir, White spruce, Tamarack, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch are native plants in Northwest Territories that provide food or cover for barn swallows.
Barn Swallows in other regions
Other backyard birds in Northwest Territories
Sources
- Barn Swallow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Barn Swallow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Barn Swallow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Northwest Territories
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- Audubon Native Plants Database
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.