Tree Swallows in British Columbia
When tree swallows are present in British Columbia, when they nest, which native British Columbia plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 1a–9a yard.
- Status in British Columbia
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–9a
- Nest box
- 1 1/2 in hole, 5 × 5 in floor, 5–10 ft
When to expect tree swallows in British Columbia
Tree Swallows are summer residents in British Columbia, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on flies, mayflies and dragonflies.
Temperate rainforest on the coast, dry interior valleys and mountains, and boreal forest in the northeast.
Nesting in British Columbia
Across British Columbia, 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.
Dry, warm coastal summers; hot in the Okanagan.
- 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 British Columbia plants that attract tree swallows
Of the regional native plants we track for British Columbia, these 8 provide food or cover tree swallows use:
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Acorns and a rich insect community in the Pacific Northwest.
Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.
Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.
Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.
Feeding tree swallows through the British Columbia 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 British Columbia'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 British Columbia year-round?
No. Tree Swallows are summer breeders in British Columbia and leave for the winter.
When do tree swallows nest in British Columbia?
Nesting in British Columbia typically runs June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 4–7 eggs, incubated for 11–20 days.
What native plants attract tree swallows in British Columbia?
Paper birch, Chokecherry, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Oregon white oak, Douglas fir, White spruce, Tamarack are native plants in British Columbia 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 British Columbia
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 — British Columbia
- 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.