Violet-green Swallows in Arizona
When violet-green swallows are present in Arizona, when they nest, which native Arizona plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–10b yard.
- Status in Arizona
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- April–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–10b
- Nest box
- 1 1/2 in hole, 5 × 5 in floor, 8–15 ft
When to expect violet-green swallows in Arizona
Violet-green Swallows are summer residents in Arizona, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on flies and midges.
Hot Sonoran and Mojave deserts in the south and west, with pine-oak sky islands and the Colorado Plateau rising above 7,000 ft.
Nesting in Arizona
Across Arizona, violet-green swallows typically nest from April–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.
Summer highs above 110°F in Phoenix and Tucson make water the single strongest attractant; the July monsoon triggers a second breeding pulse.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before March — 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 Arizona plants that attract violet-green swallows
Of the regional native plants we track for Arizona, these 8 provide food or cover violet-green swallows use:
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Acorns for jays and woodpeckers across the southern Rockies.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Seed pods and insect-rich spring bloom.
Feeding violet-green swallows through the Arizona year
Uses nest boxes in western towns and forests.
- Best foods: .
- In Arizona's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are violet-green swallows in Arizona year-round?
No. Violet-green Swallows are summer breeders in Arizona and leave for the winter.
When do violet-green swallows nest in Arizona?
Nesting in Arizona typically runs April–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 13–18 days.
What native plants attract violet-green swallows in Arizona?
Black cherry, American elderberry, Tall goldenrod, Chokecherry, Ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, Rabbitbrush, Palo verde are native plants in Arizona 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 Arizona
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 — Arizona
- 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.