Violet-green Swallows in Wyoming
When violet-green swallows are present in Wyoming, when they nest, which native Wyoming plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–5b yard.
- Status in Wyoming
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
- Nest box
- 1 1/2 in hole, 5 × 5 in floor, 8–15 ft
When to expect violet-green swallows in Wyoming
Violet-green Swallows are summer residents in Wyoming, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on flies and midges.
Semi-arid high plains and basins with major mountain ranges; most towns lie above 5,000 ft.
Nesting in Wyoming
Across Wyoming, 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.
Short, warm summers with cool nights.
- 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 Wyoming plants that attract violet-green swallows
Of the regional native plants we track for Wyoming, these 8 provide food or cover violet-green swallows use:
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Sweet dry fruit on the branch all winter.
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.
Feeding violet-green swallows through the Wyoming year
Uses nest boxes in western towns and forests.
- Best foods: .
- In Wyoming's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are violet-green swallows in Wyoming year-round?
No. Violet-green Swallows are summer breeders in Wyoming and leave for the winter.
When do violet-green swallows nest in Wyoming?
Nesting in Wyoming 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 Wyoming?
Bur oak, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Chokecherry, Common hackberry, Ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Wyoming 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 Wyoming
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 — Wyoming
- 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.