South Dakota · Summer breeder

Tree Swallows in South Dakota

When tree swallows are present in South Dakota, when they nest, which native South Dakota plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–5b yard.

Swallows (Hirundinidae)Tree SwallowTachycineta bicolor

Status in South Dakota: Summer breeder
Nesting window: May–June
Broods: 1 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 3b–5b
Nest box: 1 1/2 in hole, 5 × 5 in floor, 5–10 ft

When to expect tree swallows in South Dakota

Tree Swallows are summer residents in South Dakota, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on flies, mayflies and dragonflies.

Continental, with prairie east of the Missouri River and the forested Black Hills in the west.

Nesting in South Dakota

Across South Dakota, 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 thunderstorms; the Black Hills host western mountain birds.

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 South Dakota plants that attract tree swallows

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

Bur oak

Quercus macrocarpa · Tree

Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.

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.

New England aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Sugar maple

Acer saccharum · Tree

Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Common hackberry

Celtis occidentalis · Tree

Sweet dry fruit on the branch all winter.

Feeding tree swallows through the South Dakota 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 Dakota'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 South Dakota year-round?

No. Tree Swallows are summer breeders in South Dakota and leave for the winter.

When do tree swallows nest in South Dakota?

Nesting in South Dakota 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 South Dakota?

Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Sugar maple, Chokecherry, Common hackberry are native plants in South Dakota 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.

Other backyard birds in South Dakota

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Black-capped Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren House Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker Red-headed Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole Rose-breasted Grosbeak Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Indigo Bunting Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Eastern Screech-Owl Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Steller's Jay Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Chickadee Pygmy Nuthatch Spotted Towhee Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe White-crowned Sparrow Violet-green Swallow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole 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.