New Brunswick · Summer breeder

Cliff Swallows in New Brunswick

When cliff swallows are present in New Brunswick, when they nest, which native New Brunswick plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 3a–5b yard.

Swallows (Hirundinidae)Cliff SwallowPetrochelidon pyrrhonota

Status in New Brunswick: Summer breeder
Nesting window: June–July
Broods: 1–2 per season
Hardiness zones: Canada 3a–5b

When to expect cliff swallows in New Brunswick

Cliff Swallows are summer residents in New Brunswick, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent.

Humid continental with Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence coastlines and extensive forest.

Nesting in New Brunswick

Across New Brunswick, cliff swallows typically nest from June–July. Plan around that window: May for setup, July for clean-out.

Mild summers.

Cliff Swallows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as serviceberry, bur oak, black cherry for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native New Brunswick plants that attract cliff swallows

Of the regional native plants we track for New Brunswick, these 8 provide food or cover cliff swallows use:

Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea · Tree

Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.

Bur oak

Quercus macrocarpa · Tree

Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.

Black cherry

Prunus serotina · Tree

Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.

American elderberry

Sambucus canadensis · Shrub

Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.

Arrowwood viburnum

Viburnum dentatum · Shrub

Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover.

New England aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Eastern white pine

Pinus strobus · Tree

Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter.

Feeding cliff swallows through the New Brunswick year

Top foods: Crushed eggshell or oyster grit (for nest minerals).
In New Brunswick's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for cliff swallows · Best feeder for cliff swallows

Frequently asked

Are cliff swallows in New Brunswick year-round?

No. Cliff Swallows are summer breeders in New Brunswick and leave for the winter.

When do cliff swallows nest in New Brunswick?

Nesting in New Brunswick typically runs June–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 1–6 eggs, incubated for 10–19 days.

What native plants attract cliff swallows in New Brunswick?

Serviceberry, Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, Arrowwood viburnum, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Eastern white pine are native plants in New Brunswick that provide food or cover for cliff swallows.

Other backyard birds in New Brunswick

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Black-capped Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Purple Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Rose-breasted Grosbeak Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Indigo Bunting Gray Catbird Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Yellow-rumped Warbler Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Canada Jay American Crow Common Raven Cooper's Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Barred Owl Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Wood Duck Wild Turkey Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Scarlet Tanager Brown-headed Cowbird Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Winter Wren Pine Grosbeak Red Crossbill Gray Catbird Hooded Merganser Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Black-and-white Warbler Ovenbird Orange-crowned Warbler Palm Warbler Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo Eastern Wood-Pewee Least Flycatcher Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Common Nighthawk Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper American Woodcock Green Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Merlin Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Black-backed Woodpecker American Three-toed Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Snow Bunting Horned Lark Common Redpoll Hoary Redpoll White-winged Crossbill Bohemian Waxwing Bobolink Rusty Blackbird Rock Pigeon

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.