Swallows (Hirundinidae)
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor. Flying insects; bayberries in cold snaps.
Swallows (Hirundinidae)Tree SwallowTachycineta bicolor
- Scientific name
- Tachycineta bicolor
- Length
- 4.7–5.9 in
- Weight
- 0.6–0.9 oz
- Nest
- Nest box or tree cavity lined with feathers
- Entrance hole
- 1 1/2 in
- Clutch
- 4–7 eggs
- Incubation
- 11–20 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Iridescent blue-green above
- Clean white below
- Slightly notched tail
Voice
Liquid, chirping gurgles.
Diet and feeding
Flying insects; bayberries in cold snaps.
Tree Swallows by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Winter visitor | — |
| Alaska | Summer breeder | June |
| Alberta | Summer breeder | June |
| Arizona | Summer breeder | April–June |
| British Columbia | Summer breeder | June |
| California | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Colorado | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Connecticut | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Delaware | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Florida | Winter visitor | — |
| Georgia | Winter visitor | — |
| Idaho | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Illinois | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Indiana | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Iowa | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Kansas | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Kentucky | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Louisiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Maine | Summer breeder | June |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | June |
| Maryland | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Massachusetts | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Michigan | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Minnesota | Summer breeder | June |
| Mississippi | Winter visitor | — |
| Missouri | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Montana | Summer breeder | June |
| Nebraska | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Nevada | Summer breeder | May–June |
| New Brunswick | Summer breeder | June |
| New Hampshire | Summer breeder | June |
| New Jersey | Summer breeder | May–June |
| New Mexico | Summer breeder | May–June |
| New York | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Summer breeder | June |
| North Carolina | Summer breeder | May–June |
| North Dakota | Summer breeder | June |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | June |
| Nova Scotia | Summer breeder | June |
| Ohio | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Oklahoma | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Ontario | Summer breeder | June |
| Oregon | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Pennsylvania | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Prince Edward Island | Summer breeder | June |
| Quebec | Summer breeder | June |
| Rhode Island | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Saskatchewan | Summer breeder | June |
| South Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| South Dakota | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Tennessee | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Texas | Winter visitor | — |
| Utah | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Vermont | Summer breeder | June |
| Virginia | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Washington | Summer breeder | May–June |
| West Virginia | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Wisconsin | Summer breeder | June |
| Wyoming | Summer breeder | June |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | June |
Frequently asked
What do tree swallows eat?
Flying insects; bayberries in cold snaps. At feeders: crushed eggshells in spring.
How big is a Tree Swallow?
4.7–5.9 in long and 0.6–0.9 oz.
Do tree swallows use birdhouses?
Yes — a 1 1/2 in entrance, 5 × 5 in floor, mounted 5–10 ft.
Sources
- Tree Swallow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Tree Swallow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Tree Swallow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
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.