Violet-green Swallows in New Mexico
When violet-green swallows are present in New Mexico, when they nest, which native New Mexico plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9a yard.
- Status in New Mexico
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9a
- Nest box
- 1 1/2 in hole, 5 × 5 in floor, 8–15 ft
When to expect violet-green swallows in New Mexico
Violet-green Swallows are summer residents in New Mexico, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on flies and midges.
Arid to semi-arid, with Chihuahuan desert in the south and mountain forest above 7,000 ft.
Nesting in New Mexico
Across New Mexico, violet-green swallows typically nest from May–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.
Hot, dry early summer followed by the July–August monsoon.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before April — 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 New Mexico plants that attract violet-green swallows
Of the regional native plants we track for New Mexico, 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.
Thorny cover with orange fruit favored by thrashers and cardinals.
Feeding violet-green swallows through the New Mexico year
Uses nest boxes in western towns and forests.
- Best foods: .
- In New Mexico's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are violet-green swallows in New Mexico year-round?
No. Violet-green Swallows are summer breeders in New Mexico and leave for the winter.
When do violet-green swallows nest in New Mexico?
Nesting in New Mexico typically runs May–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 13–18 days.
What native plants attract violet-green swallows in New Mexico?
Black cherry, American elderberry, Tall goldenrod, Chokecherry, Ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, Rabbitbrush, Hackberry (desert) are native plants in New Mexico 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 New Mexico
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 — New Mexico
- 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.