Tree Swallows in Rhode Island
When tree swallows are present in Rhode Island, when they nest, which native Rhode Island plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 6a–7b yard.
- Status in Rhode Island
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–June
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–7b
- Nest box
- 1 1/2 in hole, 5 × 5 in floor, 5–10 ft
When to expect tree swallows in Rhode Island
Tree Swallows are summer residents in Rhode Island, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on flies, mayflies and dragonflies.
Humid continental with strong maritime moderation around Narragansett Bay.
Nesting in Rhode Island
Across Rhode Island, tree swallows typically nest from May–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 summers with sea breezes.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before April — 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 Rhode Island plants that attract tree swallows
Of the regional native plants we track for Rhode Island, these 8 provide food or cover tree swallows use:
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Acorns plus hundreds of caterpillar species for nestling food.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover.
Lipid-rich red fruit fuels fall migrants.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Feeding tree swallows through the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island'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 Rhode Island year-round?
No. Tree Swallows are summer breeders in Rhode Island and leave for the winter.
When do tree swallows nest in Rhode Island?
Nesting in Rhode Island typically runs May–June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 4–7 eggs, incubated for 11–20 days.
What native plants attract tree swallows in Rhode Island?
Flowering dogwood, Serviceberry, White oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, Arrowwood viburnum, Spicebush, New England aster are native plants in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
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 — Rhode Island
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.