Tree Swallows in Alberta
When tree swallows are present in Alberta, when they nest, which native Alberta plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 2a–4b yard.
- Status in Alberta
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 2a–4b
- Nest box
- 1 1/2 in hole, 5 × 5 in floor, 5–10 ft
When to expect tree swallows in Alberta
Tree Swallows are summer residents in Alberta, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on flies, mayflies and dragonflies.
Continental — prairie in the southeast, aspen parkland in the center, boreal forest in the north and the Rockies in the west.
Nesting in Alberta
Across Alberta, tree swallows typically nest from June. Nest site: nest box or tree cavity lined with feathers. Females lay 4–7 eggs, incubate for 11–20 days, and young leave the nest after 15–25 days.
Warm, sunny summers with long days.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before May — tree swallows begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
- Use a 1 1/2 in entrance on a 5 × 5 in floor, mounted 5–10 ft.
- Fit a pole baffle or hole guard; ventilation gaps and drainage holes are essential.
- Clean out old nests after each brood and again after June.
Native Alberta plants that attract tree swallows
Of the regional native plants we track for Alberta, these 8 provide food or cover tree swallows use:
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.
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.
Feeding tree swallows through the Alberta year
Tree swallows readily take bluebird-style nest boxes; mount boxes in pairs 15–25 ft apart to share with bluebirds.
- Best foods: Crushed eggshells in spring.
- In Alberta's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for tree swallows · Best feeder for tree swallows
Frequently asked
Are tree swallows in Alberta year-round?
No. Tree Swallows are summer breeders in Alberta and leave for the winter.
When do tree swallows nest in Alberta?
Nesting in Alberta typically runs June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 4–7 eggs, incubated for 11–20 days.
What native plants attract tree swallows in Alberta?
Paper birch, Chokecherry, Rabbitbrush, Douglas fir, Balsam fir, White spruce, Tamarack, Willow (Bebb) are native plants in Alberta that provide food or cover for tree swallows.
What size birdhouse hole do tree swallows need?
1 1/2 in, with a floor of 5 × 5 in mounted 5–10 ft.
Tree Swallows in other regions
Other backyard birds in Alberta
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
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alberta
- 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.