Violet-green Swallows in Alberta
When violet-green 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–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 2a–4b
- Nest box
- 1 1/2 in hole, 5 × 5 in floor, 8–15 ft
When to expect violet-green swallows in Alberta
Violet-green 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 and midges.
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, violet-green swallows typically nest from June–July. Nest site: cavity or nest box. Females lay 4–6 eggs, incubate for 13–18 days, and young leave the nest after 16–24 days.
Warm, sunny summers with long days.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before May — violet-green swallows begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
- Use a 1 1/2 in entrance on a 5 × 5 in floor, mounted 8–15 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 July.
Native Alberta plants that attract violet-green swallows
Of the regional native plants we track for Alberta, these 8 provide food or cover violet-green 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 violet-green swallows through the Alberta year
Uses nest boxes in western towns and forests.
- Best foods: .
- In Alberta's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are violet-green swallows in Alberta year-round?
No. Violet-green Swallows are summer breeders in Alberta and leave for the winter.
When do violet-green swallows nest in Alberta?
Nesting in Alberta typically runs June–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 13–18 days.
What native plants attract violet-green 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 violet-green swallows.
What size birdhouse hole do violet-green swallows need?
1 1/2 in, with a floor of 5 × 5 in mounted 8–15 ft.
Violet-green Swallows in other regions
Other backyard birds in Alberta
Sources
- Violet-green Swallow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Violet-green Swallow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Violet-green 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.