Violet-green Swallows in California
When violet-green swallows are present in California, when they nest, which native California plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 5a–11a yard.
- Status in California
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- April–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5a–11a
- Nest box
- 1 1/2 in hole, 5 × 5 in floor, 8–15 ft
When to expect violet-green swallows in California
Violet-green Swallows are summer residents in California, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on flies and midges.
Mediterranean along the coast and Central Valley, alpine in the Sierra Nevada, and desert in the southeast.
Nesting in California
Across California, 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.
Dry summers with little rain from May to October; water and summer-blooming natives matter more than extra seed.
- 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 California plants that attract violet-green swallows
Of the regional native plants we track for California, these 8 provide food or cover violet-green swallows use:
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Seed pods and insect-rich spring bloom.
Seed pods and cover for Verdins and quail.
Acorns anchor Acorn Woodpecker granaries and scrub-jay caches.
Acorns and a rich insect community in the Pacific Northwest.
Feeding violet-green swallows through the California year
Uses nest boxes in western towns and forests.
- Best foods: .
- In California's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are violet-green swallows in California year-round?
No. Violet-green Swallows are summer breeders in California and leave for the winter.
When do violet-green swallows nest in California?
Nesting in California 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 California?
Tall goldenrod, Chokecherry, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Palo verde, Velvet mesquite, Coast live oak, Oregon white oak are native plants in California 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 California
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 — California
- 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.