South Carolina · Winter visitor

Tree Swallows in South Carolina

When tree swallows are present in South Carolina, when they nest, which native South Carolina plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 7a–9a yard.

Swallows (Hirundinidae)Tree SwallowTachycineta bicolor

Status in South Carolina: Winter visitor
Nesting window: Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones: USDA 7a–9a

When to expect tree swallows in South Carolina

In South Carolina, tree swallows are winter visitors rather than breeders. Mild winters; Lowcountry backyards host Painted Buntings in summer and many sparrows in winter. While here they rely on bayberry and wax myrtle fruit.

Humid subtropical, from the Blue Ridge foothills to the Lowcountry marshes.

Native South Carolina plants that attract tree swallows

Of the regional native plants we track for South Carolina, these 8 provide food or cover tree swallows use:

Flowering dogwood

Cornus florida · Tree

Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.

Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea · Tree

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

White oak

Quercus alba · Tree

Acorns plus hundreds of caterpillar species for nestling food.

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.

Spicebush

Lindera benzoin · Shrub

Lipid-rich red fruit fuels fall migrants.

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Feeding tree swallows through the South Carolina 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 South Carolina's winter: Mild winters; Lowcountry backyards host Painted Buntings in summer and many sparrows in winter.

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

Frequently asked

Are tree swallows in South Carolina year-round?

No. Tree Swallows are winter visitors in South Carolina and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract tree swallows in South Carolina?

Flowering dogwood, Serviceberry, White oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, Arrowwood viburnum, Spicebush, Tall goldenrod are native plants in South Carolina that provide food or cover for tree swallows.

Other backyard birds in South Carolina

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Carolina Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Blue Jay House Finch Purple Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Carolina Wren Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Orchard Oriole Pine Siskin Indigo Bunting Painted Bunting Eastern Towhee Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler Eastern Screech-Owl Wood Thrush Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird House Sparrow European Starling Rufous Hummingbird White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Eurasian Collared-Dove

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.