Violet-green Swallows in Yukon
When violet-green swallows are present in Yukon, when they nest, which native Yukon plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–1b yard.
- Status in Yukon
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–1b
- Nest box
- 1 1/2 in hole, 5 × 5 in floor, 8–15 ft
When to expect violet-green swallows in Yukon
Violet-green Swallows are summer residents in Yukon, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on flies and midges.
Subarctic continental with mountains, boreal forest and Arctic tundra in the north.
Nesting in Yukon
Across Yukon, 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 summers with nearly 24-hour daylight.
- 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 Yukon plants that attract violet-green swallows
Of the regional native plants we track for Yukon, these 6 provide food or cover violet-green swallows use:
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
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.
Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.
Feeding violet-green swallows through the Yukon year
Uses nest boxes in western towns and forests.
- Best foods: .
- In Yukon's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are violet-green swallows in Yukon year-round?
No. Violet-green Swallows are summer breeders in Yukon and leave for the winter.
When do violet-green swallows nest in Yukon?
Nesting in Yukon 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 Yukon?
Paper birch, Chokecherry, White spruce, Tamarack, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch are native plants in Yukon 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 Yukon
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 — Yukon
- 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.